Knowledge of Vitamin D among First-year Medical Undergraduate  Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Manandhar, Pratibha; Manandhar, Naresh; Joshi, Sunil Kumar

doi:10.31729/jnma.6196

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Therefore, it is not surprising that most are confused about the safe level of sun exposure [ 11 ]. Also, there are contrasting reports on vitamin D knowledge of health care workers and undergraduates in different populations [ 12 , 13 ]. In the Sri Lankan context, the evidence of sun exposure practices and vitamin D knowledge among healthcare undergraduates is currently unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D knowledge and sun exposure practices among Sri Lankan healthcare undergraduates

2022

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Introduction Although overexposure to ultraviolet radiation may lead to skin cancer, inadequate exposure results in vitamin D deficiency (VDD). We explored vitamin D-related knowledge and sun exposure practices among Sri Lankan healthcare undergraduates. Methods The sampling frame consisted of medical and allied health undergraduates in a single centre. A newly developed, pre-piloted, self-administered questionnaire collected data on vitamin D knowledge, sun avoidance behaviour and outdoor time. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis examined the factors related to outdoor time. Results A total of 482 were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) vitamin D knowledge score (0–100% scale) was 31.3% (18%). Only 17.8% scored ≥50% for knowledge. At least one sun avoidance measure was used by 59.3% of the undergraduates. A lower knowledge score was observed with a higher number of sun-avoidance behaviour (mean difference 0.84, p = 0.03). The majority (66%) spent outdoors <30 minutes per day between 9 am-3 pm. The odds of having low outdoor time were 1.6 higher for the female sex (OR:1.61, 95%CI:1.039, 2.492, p<0.001) and studying in the final year (OR:1.63, 95%CI:1.020, 2.602, p = 0.04). Medical students had a higher likelihood of low outdoor time (OR:0.55, 95%CI: 0.361, 0.835, p = 0.005). Conclusions The healthcare undergraduates had low vitamin D knowledge and outdoor time while having increased sun avoidance. Gender, course of study, and academic year appeared to affect outdoor time. Support and guidance should improve knowledge and sun exposure habits that suit academic work and lifestyle in this population. Also, universities can actively promote positive sun exposure by organizing outdoor events.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D knowledge and sun exposure practices among Sri Lankan healthcare undergraduates

2022

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“…The development of better clinical guidelines, electronic decision aids, and visual cues has been recommended to aid the ease of moving vitamin D research into practice [17][18][19][20]. Further education and training were also recommended to increase both students' and practicing HCPs' vitamin D knowledge and increase the translation of this knowledge into practice and public health [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Research shows that HCP education increases knowledge, results in feelings of enhanced self-efficacy, and increases the sustainability of evidence-based practice (EBP); however, authors have noted that translational methods are needed to sustain a long-term practice change [31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to a Vitamin D Best Practices Toolkit, Model, and E-Tools Increases Knowledge, Confidence, and the Translation of Research to Public Health and Practice

et al. 2023

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Preventable vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a global health concern. The prevention, early detection, and treatment of vitamin D deficiency aligning with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration recommendations of 40–60 ng/mL (100–150 nmol/L), provided by an international panel of 48 vitamin D researchers, would result in significant health benefits and cost savings to individuals and society. However, research shows that healthcare professionals lack knowledge and confidence in best practices with respect to vitamin D. A vitamin D toolkit was developed that included a model for decision-making support, e-tools, and accompanying resources and was implemented using an online, asynchronous learning management system. This pre-test, post-test, and follow-up survey study design aimed to increase nurses’ and dietitians’ levels of knowledge and confidence regarding vitamin D, aid in their translation of evidence into spheres of practice and influence, and help them identify translation barriers. The completion of the toolkit increased the participants’ (n = 119) knowledge from 31% to 65% (p < 0.001) and their confidence from 2.0 to 3.3 (p < 0.001) on a scale of 1–5. Respondents reported using the model (100%) as a framework to successfully guide the translation of vitamin D knowledge into their sphere of influence or practice (94%) and identifying translation barriers. The toolkit should be included in interdisciplinary continuing education, research/quality improvement initiatives, healthcare policy, and institutions of higher learning to increase the movement of research into practice.

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“…This dissemination of knowledge can be achieved within basic medical education, or if the knowledge comes from newer studies it can be achieved via continued education in clinics or primary care centers. Room for improvement regarding knowledge of vitamin D among undergraduate medical students has been found in several studies (100,101) as well as among primary care physicians (102). An online continual medical education program has been developed to increase knowledge of vitamin D among primary care physicians (103).…”

Section: From Data To Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological aspects of drug-related vitamin D deficiency and osteoporotic fractures

Nordqvist¹

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Background: Vitamin D deficiency, secondary osteoporosis and low-energy fractures (LEF) as side effects of specific drugs were first described more than half a century ago. These effects are recognized in guidelines where patients prescribed risk drugs are recommended follow-up with testing and supplementation. How these drugs are managed within Swedish healthcare has not been previously investigated. Aim: To study epidemiological aspects of drug-related vitamin D deficiency and osteoporotic fractures. Methods: The association between drugs for continual use and vitamin D levels in the elderly was investigated in a clinical study including more than 550 patients (paper I). Real-world data on drug prescriptions, laboratory testing and demographic variables from electronic health records were thereafter used to assess the clinical management and vitamin D levels. More than 12 000 patients prescribed risk drugs were included in this cross-sectional study (paper II). Focus group interviews were then undertaken to explore determinants of risk drug management among physicians from seven primary care centers. Thematic analysis with an inductive approach was used to create a framework addressing adherence to medical guidelines (paper III). Finally, a multifactorial risk assessment tool was developed from LEF risk factors in more than 15 000 patients prescribed antiepileptic risk drugs in a retrospective open cohort study (paper IV). Results: A weak inverse association between the number of prescribed drugs and levels of vitamin D was found (paper I). Fewer than one in fifteen patients prescribed risk drugs were tested for vitamin D while close to a third were supplemented. Differences in management and vitamin D levels with regard to type of risk drug were found (paper II). Awareness levels, expressed beliefs and perceived responsibility were reasons behind these differences (paper III). The Kalmar Epilepsy Fracture Risk Index (KEFRI) confirmed previously suggested risk factors (paper IV). Conclusions: Drugs generating vitamin D deficiency, secondary osteoporosis and LEF are often overlooked in healthcare. Awareness and attitudes need to be improved and strategies to better manage patients prescribed these drugs are required in order to avoid unnecessary side effects. The KEFRI could aid clinicians in treatment decisions, potentially reducing fracture risks in specific patient groups.

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Knowledge of Vitamin D among First-year Medical Undergraduate Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 11 publications

Vitamin D knowledge and sun exposure practices among Sri Lankan healthcare undergraduates

Vitamin D knowledge and sun exposure practices among Sri Lankan healthcare undergraduates

Exposure to a Vitamin D Best Practices Toolkit, Model, and E-Tools Increases Knowledge, Confidence, and the Translation of Research to Public Health and Practice

Epidemiological aspects of drug-related vitamin D deficiency and osteoporotic fractures

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