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.