RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Knowledge, attitude and practice of health care practitioners in Saudi Arabia, with regard to prevention of vitamin D deficiency in infancy
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 603
OP 608
DO 10.15537/smj.2018.6.22238
VO 39
IS 6
A1 AlBishi, Laila A.
A1 Prabahar, Kousalya
A1 Albalawi, Yara M.
A1 Albalawi, Shahad A.
A1 Abosalem, Ashwaq A.
A1 Alqarni, Wjdan A.
A1 Almarhapi, Salha A.
A1 Albalawi, Maram M.
YR 2018
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/39/6/603.abstract
AB Objectives: To understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia, with regard to vitamin D supplementation.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare practitioners in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia between January 2015 and December 2016. A questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude and practice with regard to prevention of vitamin D deficiency was distributed to 100 healthcare practitioners.Results: There was a good understanding of the importance of vitamin D deficiency; and overall practices were good. The average knowledge score was 4.75/8 (range 2-7), largely due to 85% of recipients identifying sun exposure between 6-7 am as the optimal time. There was a lack of understanding also, that as little as 10 minutes exposure is of benefit.Conclusion: This study highlights the need for distribution of the recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in KSA, as widely as possible. This study suggests that healthcare practitioners understand the importance of correction of vitamin D deficiency. Deficiencies in knowledge with regard to sun exposure were identified. Dissemination of this information is, therefore, likely to impact significantly on the practice of a receptive clinical population.