Revista de Enfermagem Comunitária e de Saúde Pública

Abstrato

Awareness of Vitamin D and its Deficiency in Jeddah Population, Saudi Arabia

Abdulmoein Eid Al-Agha*, Shahad Hamdan Alorabi, Sundus Mohammed Wali Noor Saeed, Nora Muhammad Shalabi

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency considered to be the most common nutritional deficiency and one of the most common undiagnosed medical conditions in the world. It appears to be a widespread global problem prevalent in all age groups, with a reported prevalence of 30-80% in children and adults This significant decreased in vitamin D level worldwide in different age group shows lack of awareness about vitamin D importance and its resources.

The aim of our study: To assess awareness, perception and understanding of vitamin D deficiency among families living in Jeddah/Saudi Arabia. Determining the resources of information about vitamin D deficiency in our society.

Methods: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in ambulatory and pediatric clinic at KAUH and many malls in Jeddah - Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from a questioner designed to collect information about vitamin D. The study population was formed of 1752 parents of children aged from 2 to 18, and dividing them to 746 highly educated, 491 low educated.

Results: It was found that the highly educated parents got the right answers in most of the questions, However both high and low education parents had the media as their source of information. However that the majority have heard about vitamin D, 82.9% fail to identify the best time for sun exposure and 65.5% recognize inability to go outside due to work or weather issues as common cause of vitamin D deficiency.

Recommendations: *Improving health education to exposing to sunlight and consume vitamin D medication may be an effective step toward preventing vitamin D inadequacy. Powered by Editorial Manager^® and ProduXion Manager^® from Aries Systems Corporation.
*Doctors should emphasize on the importance of vitamin D and the consequences of its deficiency.
*Teachers should emphasize on vitamin D importance.
*Further efforts from media to increase vitamin D awareness among population.