Knowledge and Attitude towards Vitamin D among Saudi Female university students at Princess Nourah University
Yomna Khaled Ramadan
Department of Clinical Science Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sarah Mohammed Alasgah *
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Amira Saud Alshammari
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rima Salman Bnfadliah
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mashael Abdulmohsin Aldrees
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fatimah Abdullah Alwehibi
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude towards vitamin D and sunlight exposure among female university students.
Study Design: Cross Sectional study design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted among 500 female Saudi students in Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU).
Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge about vitamin D sources, health benefits and effects of vitamin D deficiency and assessing the attitude towards vitamin D and sunlight exposure.
Results: The present study recognized that health college students (52.7%) had better knowledge than non-health college students (47.3%). Although PNU students had good knowledge about vitamin D, only 6.0% of them knew the current recommended daily dose. Female students showed good behavior and attitude in terms of high frequency of sunlight exposure daily (34.8%). Educational institutions were the main sources of information about vitamin D (43%). Hot weather (54.8%) and fear of pigmentation (51.2) were the main reasons for limited sunlight exposure among students.
Conclusion: There was a good level of knowledge (52.2%) about vitamin D sources, benefits and effects of vitamin D deficiency among female students. In fact, health college students had better knowledge about vitamin D than non-health college students. Hot weather (54.8%) and fear of pigmentation (51.2%) were the main barriers to sunlight exposure.
Keywords: Vitamin D, knowledge, attitude, practice, university students