Knowledge and Attitude towards Vitamin D Deficiency in Ha’il Region: A Community-Based Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Vitamin D deficiency represents a major health problem in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the Knowledge and attitude towards vitamin D deficiency in Ha’il Region (Northern Saudi Arabia). Methodology: A total of 500 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Ha’il and surrounding towns were included during the period from January 2020 to March 2020. Adults aged 15 years or older were randomly selected regardless of gender, occupation or marital status. Results: Out of the 500 study subjects, 214 (42.8%) did previous vitamin D testing (72/207 (34.8%) males and 142/293 (48.5%) were females). Females were significantly better for testing their vitamin D status than males (p=0.0032). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in Ha’il Region. Although there is a relatively higher awareness level towards vitamin D sources, vitamin D testing, as well as knowledge about vitamin D deficiency-related disorders are poor among Saudi living in Ha’il Region.