Evaluation of knowledge of vitamin D aspects among pharmacy and engineering students in University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Authors

  • Suleiman I. Sharif Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Salma Ibrahim Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Asma Mohammad Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Ghazal Matini Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
  • Rawan S. Sharif Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20195261

Keywords:

Knowledge, Attitude, Pharmacy, Engineering, Vitamin D, Deficiency

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D plays a major role in health. Several health disorders have been associated with its deficiency. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude towards vitamin D of pharmacy and engineering students in the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during February-April, 2018. A 30 questions survey in English was designed, pre-validated and distributed to 250 students. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate and compare student’s knowledge and awareness of vitamin D.

Results: 213 participants completed the survey producing a response rate of 85.2%. The majority of students were Arabs, females and of age ranging 21-23 years. Almost all pharmacy students were familiar with many aspects of vitamin D. Unlike engineering (66; 66.6%), most (113; 99.1%) pharmacy students know the meaning of osteoporosis. Knowledge of pharmacy students on vitamin D was generally better than that of engineering students particularly with questions on technical parameters of vitamin D levels and dosage. Students who took vitamin D test were advised by a physician. Most of the students from both colleges have a positive attitude to receive information on vitamin D through brochures, lectures/seminars and workshops.

Conclusions: Awareness of non-health sciences and to some extent of pharmacy students seems to be inadequate and efforts are needed to increase awareness of the public in general of the importance of vitamin to health status.

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Published

2019-11-25

How to Cite

Sharif, S. I., Ibrahim, S., Mohammad, A., Matini, G., & Sharif, R. S. (2019). Evaluation of knowledge of vitamin D aspects among pharmacy and engineering students in University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 8(12), 2585–2591. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20195261

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Original Research Articles