Ibrahim Yakubu, Jamil Amilia Afzan Mohd, Basri Nurul Iftida, Reen Simran Lau Sher, Asmunni Muhammad Daniel Iman, Govidarajoo Nirosha
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang Selangor Malaysia.
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Kaduna State Nigeria.
Food Sci Nutr. 2025 Jul 9;13(7):e70575. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.70575. eCollection 2025 Jul.
Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly recognized as a public health concern among pregnant women due to its association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Inadequate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to vitamin D may contribute to this issue. The study aimed to evaluate the KAP and serum vitamin D concentration among pregnant women. The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving pregnant women residing in the Klang Valley area. Relevant data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and physical activity were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected using the veni puncture technique, and serum vitamin D levels were measured using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ELCIA) technique. There was a significantly higher proportion of participants with good knowledge as compared with participants with poor knowledge (54.1% vs. 45.9%); = 0.015. There was a significantly higher proportion of participants with negative attitudes as compared with positive attitudes (54.8% vs. 45.2%); = 0.0001 and inconsistent practice level (50.7% vs. 49.3%); = 0.953. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 64.4%. Further analysis revealed that non-Malay participants had significantly higher odds of having good knowledge of vitamin D compared to Malays (aOR = 0.420, = 0.027). Employment status was significantly associated with good practices. Employed participants were two times more likely to demonstrate vitamin D-related practices (aOR = 2.036, = 0.049) compared to their unemployed counterparts. There were no significant associations between sociodemographic characteristics and participants' attitudes on vitamin D. Despite the high levels of knowledge about vitamin D among the participants, the majority had negative attitudes, inconsistent practice levels, and a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The findings underscore the need for policies and culturally acceptable strategies aimed at promoting attitudes and practices to prevent vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy.
维生素D缺乏因与不良妊娠结局相关，日益被视为孕妇群体中的一个公共卫生问题。与维生素D相关的知识、态度和行为（KAP）不足可能导致了这一问题。该研究旨在评估孕妇的KAP及血清维生素D浓度。该研究是一项基于医院的横断面研究，涉及居住在巴生谷地区的孕妇。使用结构化问卷收集了有关社会人口学特征、知识、态度、行为和身体活动的相关数据。采用静脉穿刺技术采集血样，并使用电化学发光免疫分析（ELCIA）技术测量血清维生素D水平。与知识水平较差的参与者相比，知识水平良好的参与者比例显著更高（54.1%对45.9%）；P = 0.015。与态度积极的参与者相比，态度消极的参与者比例显著更高（54.8%对45.2%）；P = 0.0001，且行为水平不一致（50.7%对49.3%）；P = 0.953。维生素D缺乏的患病率为64.4%。进一步分析显示，与马来人相比，非马来参与者对维生素D有良好了解的几率显著更高（调整后比值比[aOR]=0.420，P = 0.027）。就业状况与良好行为显著相关。与未就业的参与者相比，就业参与者展示与维生素D相关行为的可能性高出两倍（aOR = 2.036，P = 0.049）。社会人口学特征与参与者对维生素D的态度之间无显著关联。尽管参与者对维生素D的了解程度较高，但大多数人态度消极、行为水平不一致，且维生素D缺乏患病率较高。研究结果强调了制定政策和采用文化上可接受的策略以促进相关态度和行为，从而预防孕期维生素D缺乏的必要性。
