Prevalence and characteristics of multivitamin-multimineral (MVMM) use among Saudi populations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Use of multivitamin multimineral (MVMM) preparations is prevalent and growing worldwide, contributing to major health expenditure. Minimal literature on prevalence and characteristics of MVMM use is available from Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of MVMM use among Saudi population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at 6 shopping malls located in the different regions of Riyadh city for 6 months from February 01, 2019, to July 31, 2019. A well-structured English questionnaire was developed, translated into Arabic language, and validated by the experts. A pertinent inclusion and exclusion criteria were established. After having informed consent to be included in the study, the printed copies of the questionnaire were distributed among the participants using a convenient sampling technique. The data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics were presented as numbers, percentages, means, and standard deviations. A P value of ≤.05 and 95% confidence intervals were used to report the statistical significance. Out of 1200 surveys distributed, 1105 were returned by the participants (response rate 92%). Prevalence of MVMM supplements use turned out to be 47%. The study revealed statistically significant association between MVMM use and gender, marital status, education, regular exercise, smoking, following special diet, and eating fruits and vegetables ( P ≤ .05). Majority of the participants used MVMM on daily basis (57.9%), and hospital prescriptions (57.9%) were the most common reason of MVMM use. Majority of the participants used MVMM for diet supplements (32.2%), health promotion (29.4%), and treatment of disease (16%). The MVMM use is prevalent in Saudi population, warranting sound regulatory policies for their judicial use and increase awareness about the benefits and side effects of dietary supplements.

A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use among Patients with Chronic Diseases (CDs) in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

“…Similarly, the role of community pharmacists cannot be overlooked when it comes to the use of CAM among patients with CD. Since the Saudi population is reported to show an increased interest in vitamin and mineral preparations [ 42 ], it is important to recognize the forefront status of community pharmacist in counseling and advising patients with CD to make rational decisions on CAM. Pharmacists can guide CD patients specifically and the public in general in educating about correct CAM product selection, advising on adverse drug reactions and CAM interactions with conventional therapies.…”

Vitamin D Supply of Multivitamins Commercialized Online by Amazon in Western and Southern Europe: A Labeling Analysis

“…Many other companies, including among others iHerb ® and Alibaba.com, also sell dietary supplements online. Furthermore, it has been documented that the consumption of multivitamins is very common also in other geographical areas and populations (e.g., in Saudi Arabia among Arab populations [ 44 , 45 ]). Moreover, for obvious reasons inherent to its design, this labeling analysis based on internet marketplaces does not allow us to differentiate the contribution of societal attitudes, trade specificities, market characteristics, and relationships to environmental conditions in different areas and countries.…”

The Extent of the Use of Multivitamins and Multimineral Supplements Without Clinically Measurable Benefits Among Adults in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Many studies reported that the most common reason for using MVMM was to promote health, the majority of individuals utilized MVMM as diet supplements, followed by health promotion [ 26 ]. Vitamin D insufficiency is extremely common in Saudi Arabia among all demographic groups and all different regions; it is linked to a number of extra-skeletal, and chronic diseases such as insulin resistance and its associated comorbidities [ 14 ].…”