title: Investigation on vitamin D knowledge, attitude and practice of university students in Nanjing, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate university students' knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) regarding vitamin D.
  
  
  METHODS
  The students were requested to answer a questionnaire related to vitamin D and sun exposure. The consumption frequency of foods rich in vitamin D was assessed. Additionally, the intake of vitamin D-containing supplements was recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  A medical university in Nanjing, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred and fifteen medical students were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest rate of correct responses for the quiz was 68·0 %, while the lowest was 9·6 %. Most students lacked sun exposure because they did not want to get tanned; 82·7 % of students used some sun protection and sunscreen use was more popular in the female group. The consumption frequency of foods rich in vitamin D was low and 5·6 % of the students used vitamin D supplements. The students' knowledge on vitamin D was derived mainly from the media and health professionals. Most of the students were interested to know more about vitamin D.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study suggested that medical students had little knowledge and unfavourable behaviours. They should get more health education through the media and health professionals. It is advisable to increase their consumption of foods rich in vitamin D.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health,Nanjing Medical University,101 Longmian Road,Jiangning District,Nanjing 211166,People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: 2Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Qixia District,Nanjing,People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.affiliation: 3Center for Health Service of Jiangqiao Community,Shanghai,People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yunyun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health,Nanjing Medical University,101 Longmian Road,Jiangning District,Nanjing 211166,People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene,School of Public Health,Nanjing Medical University,101 Longmian Road,Jiangning District,Nanjing 211166,People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yunqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: KAP; Medical students; Sun exposure; UV-B; Vitamin D