Knowledge and Attitudes towards Vitamin D among Health Educators in Public Schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Health educators in schools are a very important part of the education system. Considering the significant prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it is important to investigate the knowledge of and attitude towards vitamin D among health educators. This study aims to examine the knowledge of and attitude towards vitamin D among health educators in public schools in Jeddah as well as to identify the associated sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and December 2021 among 231 health educators. Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire. The results revealed that only 45% of health educators had good knowledge of vitamin D, and approximately 43% had a positive attitude towards vitamin D. Additionally, those who had good knowledge of vitamin D were males (58.7%) (p = 0.005) and had a bachelor’s degree (74%) (p = 0.01). Moreover, male health educators aged 45–54 years had a positive attitude towards vitamin D (3.8 ± 0.7) (p = 0.007). In addition, female health educators who were divorced (3.8 ± 0.7) and widowed (3.6 ± 0.5) (p = 0.04) and those who were administrators (3.3 ± 0.7) (p = 0.01) had a positive attitude towards vitamin D. The Ministry of Education (MOE) in the Kingdom must educate health educators through educational programmes that aim to increase the knowledge of and develop a positive attitude towards vitamin D intake.

The Concealed Hazard: Vitamin D Deficiency, Awareness, and Its Impact on Psychological Wellness among elderly

“…It implies that individuals who follow healthier lifestyle practices, such as adequate sun exposure, dietary choices, and regular exercise, are more likely to have optimal vitamin D levels. The current study was supported by various studies (19,20).…”

Knowledge about Vitamin D among General Population in Baghdad City

“…This result was much higher than what was found in Saudi Arabian healthcare educators who reported good knowledge scores among 45% of them. [23] Adequate knowledge about vitamin D was demonstrated in 69.5% of Al-Baha city people from Saudi Arabia in 2020. [24] Even though Pakistani university students had contact with the internet, their knowledge about vitamin D was relatively insignificant.…”

“…After 2010, people searched for the phrase 'vitamin D" on Google it showed seasonal variation reaching its maximum searching in February 2016. [26] In England, the internet was the source of population knowledge about vitamin D. [14] Most of the health educators (64%) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) depended on doctors for knowledge about vitamin D. [23] Doctors were the main source of knowledge about vitamin D in (46%) of Egyptian mothers. [21] The majority of the sample recognized sun as the main source of vitamin D for the human body followed by supplements and then food.…”

“…In another study, health educators recognized sun exposure (49.4%) in the first degree followed by food (30.3%) and then supplements (26.8%). Most of the health educators (70%) knew that fish can be a source of vitamin D. [23] Premenopausal women from Jeddah in KSA found that 72.8% recognized sun exposure as a main source of vitamin D, 27.8% recognized red meat, and 64.1% said that diet is not enough to give the needed vitamin D to bodies. [27] Among mothers from Cairo, milk and its product were recognized by 67.3%, egg yolk by 61.5%, and oily fish by 52.9%.…”

Awareness of Vitamin D Deficiency among the General Population in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

“…It is present in a few types of foods, such as oily fish, cod liver oil, egg yolk, and liver, so dermal synthesis is considered the primary source of vitamin D [2,3]. Vitamin D is found in two inert forms: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 [4]. Both forms come from diet and sun exposure.…”