ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT VITAMIN-D DEFICIENCY AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PRIVATE SECTOR UNIVERSITY

BACKGROUNDVitamin-D commonly known as Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) & Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) promotes the absorption and metabolism of calcium. Among children scarcity of vitamin D may cause rickets whereas osteomalacia both in adults and children having relevance with less circulating concentrations of 25OHD that is less than 20 nmol/L.OBJECTIVETo assess knowledge of undergraduate students about vitamin-D deficiency in various private sector universities of Karachi.STUDY DESIGNA cross-sectional study was conducted where structured questionnaire were distributedSTUDY SETTINGS & PARTICIPANTSThe targeted population was 100 subjects currently enrolled in medical universities.RESULTSAccording to the descriptive analysis, 100% students were aware of the importance of Vitamin D. However, only 38% of them knew thatthe deficiency of Vitamin D can cause tiredness, low mood, muscleand bone pain. 64% knew the beneficence of exposure of 10-15% ofsunlight.CONCLUSIONStudents of private medical universities are aware of Vitamin Ddeficiency and its importance but its implementation is absent.Keywords Osteomalacia, Rickets, Vitamin D Deficiency, Osteoid, Trabecular Bone, Cholecalciferol, Ergocalciferol