Elghazaly Abir, Widyan Adel, Alsahali Saud, Alshammari Mohammed, Farooqui Maryam, Alsaloom Deem, Alduwirej Layan, Alfayizi Lamyaa, Alajmi Manal, Alowais Mashael
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
J Pharm Policy Pract. 2024 Aug 5;17(1):2381699. doi: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2381699. eCollection 2024.
Vitamin D deficiency is a serious health problem that is associated with many health consequences. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, regarding vitamin D deficiency.
An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among students of Unaizah Colleges of Pharmacy (UCP) and Medicine (UCM) at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, over a period of 3 months. A well-structured self-administered questionnaire was used for the data collection. Statistical analysis was applied by using SPSS version 22. A 0/1 scoring process was employed to assess the KAP of the participants. The midpoint is considered the cutoff point.
A total of 337 complete responses were received. The majority of participants (62.3%) were female. 291 (86.3%) were considered to have good knowledge, with a mean score of 6.326 out of 9. Moreover, 220 (65.2%) of participants had positive attitudes, with a mean score of 4.077 out of 7. Unfortunately, only 9 (2.6%) participants demonstrated satisfactory practices, with a mean score a 0.911 out of 6. Female participants were significantly better than male participants in terms of knowledge and attitudes, but worse in terms of practices. Sun exposure during safe daytime hours is considered the main cause of vitamin D deficiency. Nearly 60% confirmed that KSA indoor activities and the COVID-19 lockdown might maximise vitamin D deficiency.
The study reveals a gap in vitamin D knowledge among participants influenced by gender and study year. It suggests educational initiatives for male students to enhance their knowledge regarding vitamin D, while female students are encouraged to prioritise safe sun exposure, minimising the use of umbrellas and sunscreen. It also highlights the role of educational institutions as reliable sources of information and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on participants' attitudes and practices towards vitamin D.
维生素D缺乏是一个严重的健康问题，与许多健康后果相关。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯卡西姆大学医学生对维生素D缺乏的认知、态度和行为。
在沙特阿拉伯卡西姆大学奈季兰药学院（UCP）和医学院（UCM）的学生中进行了一项为期3个月的观察性横断面研究。使用一份结构良好的自填式问卷进行数据收集。采用SPSS 22版进行统计分析。采用0/1评分法评估参与者的知识、态度和行为。中点被视为临界点。
共收到337份完整回复。大多数参与者（62.3%）为女性。291名（86.3%）被认为具有良好的知识水平，9分制下平均得分为6.326分。此外，220名（65.2%）参与者态度积极，7分制下平均得分为4.077分。遗憾的是，只有9名（2.6%）参与者行为令人满意，6分制下平均得分为0.911分。女性参与者在知识和态度方面明显优于男性参与者，但在行为方面则较差。安全白天时段的阳光照射被认为是维生素D缺乏的主要原因。近60%的人确认沙特阿拉伯的室内活动和新冠疫情封锁可能会使维生素D缺乏情况加剧。
该研究揭示了参与者在维生素D知识方面存在受性别和学年影响的差距。建议针对男学生开展教育活动，以增强他们对维生素D的了解，同时鼓励女学生优先进行安全的阳光照射，尽量减少使用雨伞和防晒霜。研究还强调了教育机构作为可靠信息来源的作用以及新冠疫情对参与者维生素D态度和行为的影响。
