Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among health care professionals in a medical college of India

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D is unique among vitamins as it can be synthesized from the action of ultra violet radiation upon the skin. This study was done to investigate prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among health care professionals. Method: This was an institution based cross sectional prevalence study conducted over period of one year at Medical College, Kolkata, India. The study was conducted among 50 doctors, 25 nurses and 25 laboratory technicians. After getting demographic data, serum Vitamin D level was measured in each subject and statistical analysis done. Result: Mean age of study subject was 51.69±7.61 years. Result showed that 63% were male and 37% were female. In this study 73% of the subjects were deficient in Vitamin D level. 25% of subjects had insufficient Vitamin D level and only 2% subject has sufficient D level. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among health care professionals. Lack of sunlight exposure, changes in lifestyle and food habits contribute to low Vitamin D levels in this population.