Assessment of knowledge and awareness of vitamin D among physicians and students of healthcare in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background Vitamin D deficiency is now considered to be a widespread epidemic. A poor level of knowledge and an inadequate level of awareness are two of the main risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Aims This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge about vitamin D deficiency and identify factors associated with the level of awareness among healthcare workers and healthcare professional students. Methods From September 2017 to March 2018, a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data among physicians and students of healthcare in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results Of 529 participants, 320 (60.5 per cent) were students and 209 (39.5 per cent) were healthcare workers. The overall mean knowledge scores (maximum score=35) were 20.0 +/- 5.5 (58.8 per cent) among healthcare workers and 15.9 +/- 5.5 (46.8 per cent) among students. Most healthcare workers and healthcare professional students stated that vitamin D is used to treat bone disease and rickets (96.2 per cent and 89.4 per cent, respectively), maintain calcium and phosphate levels (95.2 per cent and 87.8 per cent, respectively), and strengthen immunity (68.3 per cent and 60.9 per cent, respectively). Most healthcare workers (94.7 per cent) and students (91.5 per cent) stated that osteoporosis is a result of vitamin D deficiency. Less than half of healthcare workers (38.3 per cent) and less than quarter of healthcare professional stated that vitamin D reduces the risk of diabetes. Only 13.1 of healthcare professional and 11.6 per cent of healthcare professional stated that vitamin D reduces the risk of premature birth. However, less than one-third of workers and one-fifth of students were aware of the correct dose. Conclusion This study highlighted the lack of knowledge regarding vitamin D deficiency among healthcare professional students and healthcare workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. There was a significant association between the level of knowledge and position. More continuing medical education programs and campaigns need to be implemented to raise awareness about the condition.