Assessing Medical Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Vitamin D Supplementation in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Vitamin D Knowledge and Attitudes in Medical Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i3.1589Keywords:
Vitamin D, musculoskeletal disorders, medical education, supplementation, knowledge gaps, student survey, cross-sectional study, clinical guidelines.Abstract
Background: Vitamin D is crucial for musculoskeletal health, but gaps in knowledge and supplementation practices persist among medical students, who will become future healthcare providers.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards vitamin D supplementation in musculoskeletal disorders.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to September 2024, involving 245 physiotherapy students at PUMHSW. Data were collected using an online questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge of vitamin D, attitudes towards supplementation, and personal practices. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate regression analysis were performed using SPSS 25.
Results: A total of 93.87% of students recognized vitamin D's role in bone health, but only 33.06% knew its role in muscle function. Regular supplementation was reported by 9.8%, while 44.9% used it occasionally. Barriers included lack of knowledge (71.3%) and clinical guidelines (47.5%). Formal education positively impacted knowledge and supplementation practices (p = 0.031).
Conclusion: Medical students showed good awareness of vitamin D’s role in bone health, but gaps exist in broader knowledge and practical supplementation. Enhanced education is needed to address these deficiencies.
Downloads
References
Boland S, Irwin JD, Johnson AM. A Survey of University Students’ Vitamin D-Related Knowledge. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2015;47(1):99-103.
Al-Azzawi MA, Maftool AJ, Al-Shimary AA, Mohammed AA. A Comprehensive Review of Vitamin D3: Metabolism, Functions, and Clinical Implications. Int J Med Sci Dent Health. 2023;9(12):37-46.
Mirzaei-Azandaryani Z, Abdolalipour S, Mirghafourvand M. The Effect of Vitamin D on Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutr Health. 2022;28(4):515-26.
Graves III L, Lukert BP. The Role of Sex and Gender in Transgender Bone and Other Musculoskeletal Health. JBJS. 2024;106(16):1507-11.
Neo B, Qu X, Dunlop E, Shepherd C, Walsh EI, Cherbuin N, et al. Mapping the Citation Network on Vitamin D Research in Australia: A Data-Driven Approach. Front Med. 2023;10:1298190.
Basit S. Vitamin D in Health and Disease: A Literature Review. Br J Med Pract. 2013;6(1).
O’Connor C, Glatt D, White L, Revuelta Iniesta R. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Vitamin D in a UK Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Rheum Dis. 2011;14(7):107-12.
Revuelta Iniesta R, et al. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Vitamin D in a UK Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(11):2387.
Alkindy T, Mirghani H, Elbadawi A, Altunusi AM. Health Education Effects on Attitude and Practice Regarding Vitamin D Among Students in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Health Educ. 2022;45(01).
Holick MF. Vitamin D Deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(3):266-81.
Bouillon R, Marcocci C, Carmeliet G, et al. Skeletal and Extraskeletal Actions of Vitamin D: Current Evidence and Outstanding Questions. Endocr Rev. 2008;29(6):726-76.
Palacios C, Gonzalez L. Is Vitamin D Deficiency a Major Global Public Health Problem? J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014;144(Pt A):138-45.
Christie FT, Mason L. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Vitamin D Deficiency Among Female Students in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Exploration. Int J Rheum Dis. 2011;14(3).
Hasanato R, Al-Mahboob A, Al-Mutairi A, Al-Faraydi J, Al-Amari K, Al-Jurayyad R, et al. High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Healthy Female Medical Students in Central Saudi Arabia: Impact of Nutritional and Environmental Factors. Acta Endocrinol. 2015;11(2).
Tanna NK, Karki M, Webber I, Alaa A, El-Costa A, Blair M. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated with Vitamin D Supplementation: A Cross-Sectional Online Community Survey of Adults in the UK. PLoS One. 2023;18(8).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Munazzah Meraj, Mukhry Pasham, Sidra Faisal, Arsalan Ahmed, Syed Murtaza Ali Shah, Peraha Wagan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.