Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding vitamin D supplementation among medical students and resident doctors at a tertiary centre: a cross-sectional study

Ankita N. Patil; Mrunalini V. Kalikar; Pradipta A. Dutta

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253674

Authors

Ankita N. Patil Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Mrunalini V. Kalikar Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Pradipta A. Dutta Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253674

Keywords:

Vitamin D, Self-medication, Medical students, Resident doctors

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D is a vital micronutrient for proper bone formation. Knowledge about vitamin D is often insufficient among individuals, including healthcare professionals. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of vitamin D supplementation among medical students and resident doctors in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a structured, well tested, validated questionnaire, focussing on knowledge, attitude and practice on self-medication of vitamin D on 222 undergraduate (UG) medical students from first to fourth year, interns and resident doctors of different specialities at a tertiary care teaching centre in India. The data was analysed using Graph Pad Prism 8.4.2 software.

Results: There was no significant difference among pre-MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) and post-MBBS students’ attitude and practice related to vitamin D. However, the knowledge about vitamin D supplementation differed significantly among post and pre-MBBS students (p<0.05).

Conclusions: In conclusion, it can be said that although medical students had a fair knowledge on some important aspects of vitamin D, their knowledge regarding symptoms of vitamin D toxicity and associated complications was moderate. Self-medication was very high (43%) among participants, a matter of grave concern. Practice related to vitamin D supplementation among participants was also not satisfactory. Knowledge of participants significantly increased upon completion of MBBS degree. However, there were gaps in the attitude and practice of vitamin D which did not seem to improve even in the post-MBBS students.

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