The number of respondents who were able to indicate the sources of vitamin D and its importance are shown in Figure1.
Most of respondents (89.1%) indicated the sunlight as the main source of vitamin D. More than 60% indicated that fish and eggs are considered of the major dietary sources. A small percentage of participants answered correctly that poultry and meat, vegetables and fruits are not of the major sources of vitamin D in the diet (36.3%, 25.5% respectively). Most of participants (93.9%) knew the importance of vitamin D in absorption of calcium which is necessary for bone and teeth development.
Figure 1. Mother’s Knowledge about Vitamin D Sources & Importance
Figure 2. shows the number of participants who answered correctly the questions concerning risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and its complications, its relation with skin color and breast milk.
More than 95% of participants knew that low sun exposure and reduced intake of vitamin D rich foods are risk factors of VDD. On the other hand, only 18.5% indicated that use of sunscreen is a risk factor for VDD. Most of respondents knew that VDD leads to rickets, but only 23.6% knew that epileptic seizures due to hypocalcemia is a complication of VDD. A small percentage answered correctly that vitamin D synthesis is affected by skin color and it is not present in large amounts in breast milk.