Knowledge and Practices Regarding Vitamin D Deficiency Among Women Attending Imam Hussein Medical City in Karbala 2018

Abstract

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem. It is significantly associated with skeletal and non-skeletal problems. Prevention can be maintained mainly by effective sun exposure or supplementation and to lesser extent by dietary intake. To determine the magnitude of knowledge and practice of women towards vitamin D deficiency.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study, purposive sample of 442 women were approached who attended consultants’ clinics of Imam Hussein Medical City in Karbala. Data collection done between March 2 and June 30, 2018 through direct interviews using a special questionnaire prepared for the purpose of the study.
 Results: Less than half (45.2%) of the women had heard about vitamin D; their source of information was from relatives and friends then from health care provider. The mean score for the participants’ knowledge about VDD was 4.25 out of 9.0 (47%). It has a significant association with higher educational levels and urban residence. There is no significant difference regarding age, marital status or occupation. The mean score for the participants’ practice about vitamin D deficiency was 2.53 out of 5 (50.71%). There is no influence of practice score by socio-demographic factors.
 Conclusion: Overall knowledge towards vitamin D deficiency was suboptimal. Improving practices towards VD is directly related to increase knowledge about it that indicates the need to increase public awareness about the problem, encourage appropriate way of sun exposure, consumption of vitamin D rich food and taking supplementation when sun exposure is difficult.

Knowledge and Health Behavior about Vitamin D during Epidemic COVID-19 among Female University Students

“…So, us study in Iraq found less than half (46.4%) of the subjects were knew that there is a relation between VD and calcium. Little percent (19%) of the subjects had a good level of knowledge (7) .…”

“…Indeed, we would like to point out that, even in the presence of strong and significant associations, a causal role of hypovitaminosis D in facilitating COVID-19 spread» (19) . 5-Association between Level of Knowledge, behavior of study sample there was no significant relationship among studied variable, and level of Knowledge andbehaviorSo, the medical student has unsatisfactory knowledge, inappropriate behavior Study done inKarbala found There is no statistical association between age, education, marital status or occupation and the mean practice score (P value>0.05) (7) .…”

“…When ask the student about if they check vit D level more than half didn't check that mean they didn't aware about the important of andso us student in Saudi Arabiathey notrealize that vitamin D deficiency was attained epidemic rates across the world irrespective of age groups, and geographical area (11) .and 78.0 who had low level they take supplement 95.3%) of the student heard or learn about vitamin D that result similar with study in Karbalafound two-thirds of the study samplethey heard about Vitamin D and were aware of its importance,symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency'' (12,7) .…”

“…Face and hands were the most parts that had been exposed to sun. and they found the main reasons for being not exposed to sunlight that were indoor lifestyle and hot weather (7) . and so us study in QassimRegion (2018)they found Approximately half (51.2%) of the participants reported eating Vitamin D-rich foods such as milk, oily fish, and eggs.…”

“…A first CoV infection epidemic began in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in end 2019,and "renamed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020. (6) Farther role vitamin D is also known to function in the immune system, which is a key reason why some think it's believable the nutrient might impact COVID-19 (7,4) .…”