title: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of general practitioners in Dammam, Saudi Arabia towards Vitamin D supplementation to infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the report of high prevalence rate of Vitamin D deficiency in the literature since the 1980s, the condition can be considered an epidemic in Saudi Arabia. However, no specific steps have been taken by the Ministry of Health to tackle the problem. Moreover, little is known about general practitioners' (GPs) knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Vitamin D supplementation for infants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure the KAP of GPs, of Vitamin D supplementation for infants in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of GPs practicing in primary healthcare centers in the Dammam area of Saudi Arabia. All the 110 GPs working in primary health centers (PHCs) in Dammam were invited to participate in the study. Data was collected with the help of a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis of all the variables, expressed as the mean (standard deviation [SD]) or the median if not normally distributed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-three GPs working in the Dammam area participated in the study. Thirty percent had excellent knowledge of Vitamin D. Ninety two percent had a positive attitude toward Vitamin D supplementation and sixty percent regularly prescribed Vitamin D supplementation for infants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of GPs had a positive attitude toward Vitamin D supplementation for infants. However, their knowledge and practice need improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Afrah I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Babli
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Kasim M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: AlDawood
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ammar H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Khamis
keywords: Attitude; Vitamin D supplementation; general practitioners; infants; knowledge; practice