Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of the population towards Vitamin D in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: There is a significant presence of Vitamin D deficiency in the Middle East, and among school children, and university students, in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: to explore the Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of the population towards Vitamin D in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Method: It was a cross-sectional study of 880 subjects, who gave their responses through an online Google form. A standardized questionnaire on assessment of Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude, and the Practice of Vitamin D consumption among the General population was used. In addition the Fitzpatrick scale of skin types IV – V, was used. The software SPSS (IBM compatible version 23), was used to analyze the data. Chi square test was used. The level of significance for the present study was 0.05. Results: 373 subjects (42.4%) consumed Vit. D supplements; the majority of them were females (70.8%). There is no relationship between Vit-D consumption and level of education. It was significantly related to light or pale white-type of skin; and associated with hearing about Vit. D from media or friends and family or health professionals. Use was associated with significantly more knowledge about availability of Vit-D in fortified food, nuts and dairy products. They also knew that exposure to sunlight was important for source of Vit. D. They had reasonable knowledge about the importance of Vit. D. They think that dietary sources of Vit. . D are not sufficient to maintain Vit. . D levels, and knew that Vit. D prevents rickets, and is important for hair growth. There was a lack of knowledge about the RDA for Vit. D. There was significant association between taking Vit. D supplements and wearing sunscreen. Conclusions: The majority of participants possessed good knowledge about Vitamin D and they identified sun exposure as the main source of vitamin D. However, there is a lack of consistency between knowledge and attitude towards improving vitamin D levels in their sera. This indicates the need to improve awareness among the Saudi population by providing specific guidelines about the frequency, duration, optimum season and amount of exposure to sunlight required, as well as the importance of fortification of food. Key words: KAP of Vit. D, Determinants, Saudi Arabia