Estimation of Vitamin D levels Among Female Students at University of Sciences and Technology, Aden, Yemen. A Cross-sectional Analysis

الملخص

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is considered a major public health problem where it is estimated that more than one billion people are affected around the world. In Yemen, the vitamin D status among young females was not clear. Objective: This study aimed to state the level of vitamin D among female students at the University of Sciences and Technology and to determine the risk factors contributing to vitamin D status among those females. Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 female students. Results: The total mean ± SD was 21.5 ± 2.7 years. The min-max of the total age was 18 years and 29 years. The overall prevalence of HVD among female students was 89.3% where 82.7% were insufficient and 6.7% were deficient. Symptoms such as muscle pain, bone pain, and hair loss of HVD were statistically associated with vitamin D status (p=0.001) in each. A statistically significant association was found among those who used sunscreen and did not take vitamin D supplements (p=0.001) in each. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that the prevalent rate of HVD among female college students in Aden, Yemen, was high and higher than most reported among females globally. The majority of female college students had VDI, while a few had VDD.  Using sunscreen and not taking vitamin D supplements increase the risk of HVD.