Bridging the Gap: Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices on Vitamin D Deficiency among Adolescent and Young Adults – A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Ali Elamin Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Basem Almalki Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Hamza Adam Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Bhgah Adam Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Reham Bakhsh Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahmed Otudi Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Eissa Alhadri Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Mazen Homadi Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Khalid Zain Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Albaraa Zakri 1Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Yahya Al-Sumayli Department of Public Health, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab Health Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahmad Alharbi ICU Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha Health Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
  • Osama Albasheer Family Medicine, Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5115-6182

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.01.08

Keywords:

Vitamin D deficiency, knowledge-attitude-practice, university students, Saudi Arabia, Jazan

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a significant public health issue, impacting bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. Despite abundant sunlight in Saudi Arabia, deficiency rates remain high, potentially due to limited sun exposure, cultural practices, and low dietary intake of vitamin D. University students are a key demographic for assessing public health awareness and behaviors related to vitamin D. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to vitamin D deficiency among Jazan University students, and to identify demographic factors influencing these aspects.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 429 students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, from March to June 2024. Data on KAP regarding vitamin D deficiency were collected via a validated bilingual online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression to evaluate demographic predictors of KAP scores.

Results: Among the participants, 47.3% exhibited high knowledge, 55% demonstrated high awareness, and 45.6% had high practice levels concerning vitamin D deficiency. Female students had significantly higher KAP scores than males (p < 0.01), and health college students showed greater knowledge and awareness than their non-health peers (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that gender was a significant predictor, with females displaying higher odds of better outcomes across all domains (Knowledge: AOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.73–4.07; Awareness: AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.94–4.62; Practices: AOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10–2.49).

Conclusions: The findings highlight a need for targeted educational programs and routine screening initiatives to address vitamin D deficiency among young adults. Public health strategies should prioritize awareness campaigns across all academic disciplines to improve vitamin D literacy and mitigate deficiency-related health risks.

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Published

2025-02-10

How to Cite

Elamin, A. ., Almalki, B. ., Adam, H. ., Adam, B. ., Bakhsh, R. ., Otudi, A. ., Alhadri, E. ., Homadi, M. ., Zain, K. ., Zakri, A. ., Al-Sumayli, Y. ., Abdelwahab, S. I. ., Alharbi, A. ., Elhassan Taha, M. M. ., & Albasheer, O. . (2025). Bridging the Gap: Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices on Vitamin D Deficiency among Adolescent and Young Adults – A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 14(1), 68–80. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.01.08

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2025)

Section

General Articles

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