ABSTRACT
Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is a public health problem world wide, even in countries with enough sunshine year round to promote adequate skin synthesis. There are few studies that look at vitamin D status in children living in sunny climates as it is assumed that they receive adequate vitamin D from sun exposure. But, no study has been done among children living in Ethiopia. This study is aimed to determine vitamin D status and its predictors among school children aged 11-18 years living in Ethiopia. Methods: An institution based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Adama Town and rural kebeles of Adama Woreda on a total sample of 174 (89 urban, 85 rural) during May-June 2013. Children were randomly selected using multi-stage stratified sampling method. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D<50nmol/L) was noted in 42% of children. The proportion of deficiency was significantly higher among children in urban setting as compared to those in rural setting (61.8% and 21.2%, respectively; p <0.001). The significant predictors of vitamin D were study setting, maternal education, triceps skinfold thickness, sun exposure, body surface area exposed, having television/computer in the home and socioeconomic status [Adjusted OR (2.74-19.57): 95%CI(1.23, 69.21)]. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent among school children living in a tropical country like Ethiopia both in urban and rural settings, with the prevalence being significantly higher among urban school children.