Knowledge, Attitudes, Behavior and their impact on Vitamin D Status among Undergraduate University Female Students

Abstract

The research was carried out to study the effect of some personal, behavioral, and environmental factors on vitamin D level amonguniversity female undergraduates in Egypt.A convenient sample consisted of125 first grade Egyptianuniversity female youth was selected. Written consentswerean initial basic step. They filled aknowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) pre-structured questionnaire and were subjected to dietary assessmentusing 24 hours recall, frequencypattern, and milk consumption sheets. Laboratory evaluation of vitamin D and related indicators were measured. Food intake was analyzed and compared to the recommended dietary allowances using the food composition table of the National Nutrition Institute and based on WHO/FAO recommendations. Resultsrevealed that majority of respondents (96.0%) were veiled and 88.0 % were exposed to sun at noon time. Face and hands were the exposed parts in 96.0% of responses and 56.0 % mentioned that sun- exposure took more than an hour. Exposure to pesticides was mentioned in 16.0% of responses. Nearly two thirds were exposed to sun while windows were closed. Only 22.0% heard about vitamin D and two thirds considered milk among un-favored food items. This study concluded that to track progress toward getting rid of a health problem, we have to raise the level of awareness of youth and young adults about this problem.This study emphasized the need for further vitamin D assessment and interventions targeted at all people. There is an urgent need for public education about the vital role of vitamin D to improve vitamin D- related practice and to minimize the complications of its deficiency.