Aljefree Najlaa, Lee Patricia, Ahmed Faruk
Public Health, School of Medicine and Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Southport QLD 4222, Australia.
Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung City 404, Taiwan.
Healthcare (Basel). 2017 Oct 16;5(4):76. doi: 10.3390/healthcare5040076.
Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to explore participants' knowledge about vitamin D and attitudes toward sun exposure. The study also aimed to explore the social and cultural factors that might potentially contribute to vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in the cities of Jeddah and Makkah between May and October 2015. The interview questions were semi-structured, and the data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Study participants showed a reasonable level of knowledge in different areas about vitamin D, including the effect of vitamin D deficiency on bone health and exposure to sunlight as the main source of vitamin D. Participants were also knowledgeable about vitamin D supplements as another source of this vitamin. Nevertheless, there was a shortage of knowledge in relation to dietary sources of vitamin D. In respect to attitudes toward sun exposure, some participants had positive attitudes toward sunlight and were willing to expose themselves to sunlight, but it was restricted to the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. These participants who liked exposure to sunlight were largely exposing only their faces and hands to sunlight. Other participants had negative attitudes toward sun exposure and were avoiding sunlight. Moreover, the study participants identified several barriers to sun exposure, including hot climate, living in high-rise buildings, limited public areas allowing outdoor activities, lifestyle issues such as physical inactivity, and some religious concerns such as wearing the hijab. The study results also demonstrate that females were more enthusiastic about taking actions to improve their vitamin D status in comparison with males. Recommendations for health education interventions that increase awareness about vitamin D sources, especially food sources, are made. Also, educational interventions should focus on increasing awareness about the sufficient time of the day and duration for sun exposure to improve vitamin D status and the importance of the intake of vitamin D supplements as an affordable source to improve vitamin D status. Increasing males' awareness of the benefits of vitamin D is important to encourage them to adopt behaviors to improve vitamin D.
维生素D缺乏在沙特阿拉伯很普遍。本研究的目的是探究参与者对维生素D的了解以及对阳光照射的态度。该研究还旨在探究可能导致沙特阿拉伯维生素D缺乏的社会和文化因素。2015年5月至10月期间，在吉达和麦加市进行了面对面访谈。访谈问题为半结构化，数据采用主题分析法进行分析。研究参与者在维生素D的不同领域表现出了一定程度的了解，包括维生素D缺乏对骨骼健康的影响以及阳光照射作为维生素D的主要来源。参与者也了解维生素D补充剂是这种维生素的另一个来源。然而，关于维生素D的膳食来源方面的知识存在欠缺。关于对阳光照射的态度，一些参与者对阳光持积极态度，愿意晒太阳，但仅限于清晨或傍晚以避免炎热。这些喜欢晒太阳的参与者大多只将脸和手暴露在阳光下。其他参与者对阳光照射持消极态度并避免晒太阳。此外，研究参与者指出了晒太阳的几个障碍，包括炎热的气候、居住在高层建筑中、允许户外活动的公共区域有限、诸如缺乏体育锻炼等生活方式问题以及一些宗教顾虑，如戴头巾。研究结果还表明，与男性相比，女性更热衷于采取行动改善自身的维生素D状况。针对提高对维生素D来源尤其是食物来源的认识的健康教育干预措施提出了建议。此外，教育干预应侧重于提高对一天中晒太阳的充足时间和时长的认识，以改善维生素D状况，以及摄入维生素D补充剂作为改善维生素D状况的一种经济实惠的来源的重要性。提高男性对维生素D益处的认识对于鼓励他们采取行为改善维生素D状况很重要。
