ASSESSMENT OF MOTHERS' KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN BASRA CITY
Background: Vitamin D is an important vitamin inside the human body. Vitamin D deficiency is common especially in women of childbearing age mostly because of a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of vitamin D and how to avoid being deficient in it. Vitamin D deficiency leads to many diseases that negatively affect the general health and maternal health. Objectives: The main aims of our study were twofold. Firstly, we assess the knowledge and attitude of mothers about vitamin D. Secondly, a link relationship between knowledge and socio-demographic characteristics. Material and methods: Descriptive Cross-Sectional research were carried out through the period of 18th November 2022 to 15th April 2023. The study included a random sample of (200) mothers from Basrah city, including all mothers who answered the questionnaire. A questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection to assess mothers' knowledge The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and statistical inferential to find the difference between the socio-demographics variables of mothers and their knowledge and attitudes. Data were analyzed through the use of the SPSS application version 26. Results: The results of the study show that (98.5 %) of people have heard of vitamin D before, (and 36.5%) of the mothers had learned about vitamin D from the media. When it came to vitamin D sources (sun, food, and supplements), moms gave the greatest response (43%) to the choice listed above. Moreover, about (52%) of mothers did not know the correct answer about the daily recommendation of vitamin D for children. Additionally, almost (79%) of moms agreed that taking vitamin D supplements through pregnancy is a good idea, (85.5%) thought that vitamin D supplements are essential for children, and about (79%) of moms believe that their child should get a test to determine the amount of vitamin D in their blood. Conclusion: The mothers in the study had good knowledge and attitudes about vitamin D and its supplementation. Recommendations: Education and training mothers who visit health centers during pregnancy and after birth that focus on the importance of vitamin D, Conducting study more comprehensive about the practice of mothers regarding vitamin D..
Keywords: Mothers, Knowledge, Attitudes, Vitamin D, Children.