Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Vitamin D Among Health Care University Students of Shaheed Benazirabad

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D plays a critical role in bone mineralization, immune regulation, and overall metabolic health. Despite abundant sunlight, vitamin D deficiency remains widespread in South Asia, particularly among women and young adults. Health science students represent a key group whose knowledge and practices can influence community health; however, limited evidence exists from Sindh province, Pakistan, regarding their awareness and behavior toward vitamin D sufficiency. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding vitamin D among female undergraduate health care students at Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 using a validated D-KAP-38 questionnaire distributed electronically to 500 eligible students from Medicine, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Nursing departments. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS version 20. Associations were assessed through χ² tests and ANOVA, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Most participants had good general knowledge (84.8%) but average nutritional knowledge (47.6%), attitude (85%), and practice (49.2%). Significant differences were found across departments for knowledge and practice (p<0.05). A nonlinear decline from knowledge to practice indicated a marked knowledge–practice gap. Conclusion: Although conceptual understanding of vitamin D was high, corresponding behavioral translation remained limited. Integrating targeted educational and behavioral interventions into curricula may enhance vitamin D health practices among future healthcare professionals.