title: Relationship between vitamin D knowledge and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels amongst pregnant women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnant women living at northerly latitudes are at risk of suboptimal vitamin D status. There is a paucity of studies correlating knowledge, attitudes and practices of vitamin D with serum levels amongst pregnant women. We aimed to determine the prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D status in pregnant women of various ethnicities attending two Dublin maternity hospitals and to assess levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study of 116 pregnant women of Irish, Asian, Sub-Saharan African and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) origin. Vitamin D status was determined by measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD). We examined knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning vitamin D using an interview-assisted questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (interquartile range) 25OHD level was 25.9 (16.5-44.7) nmol L(-1). Using a cut-off point of <30 nmol L(-1) , the proportion at risk of deficiency was significantly higher among MENA (88%; P < 0.001) and Sub-Saharan African women (68%; P = 0.019) than Irish women (36%). Eighty-two women (71%) reported they had insufficient knowledge about vitamin D and its sources. Vitamin D containing supplement usage was the strongest predictor of 25OHD levels ≥30 nmol L(-1) (odds ratio = 18.03, 95% confidence interval = 5.7256.8, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suboptimal vitamin D status is common in this cohort of pregnant women, especially among those of Sub-Saharan African and MENA origin. Awareness of vitamin D dietary sources is poor among all subgroups. Recommending vitamin D containing supplements may be the best strategy at present for improving vitamin D status with a need for increased vitamin D education.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Global Health, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toher
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kilbane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Uduma
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: McAuliffe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000208:ethnology; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: dietary supplements; ethnic groups; pregnancy; vitamin D