Vitamin DNEW2026

Vitamin D supplement use in Egypt and Jordan and associated factors: A survey-based study.

Khabour TaqiAldeen, Khabour Omar F, Hassanein Salwa F M — PloS one

Summary

A study surveyed over a thousand people in Egypt and Jordan to understand how many use vitamin D supplements and why. It found that about one-third of participants take vitamin D supplements, with higher use among Jordanians compared to Egyptians. Factors like being female, having a higher income, and awareness of deficiency symptoms were linked to supplement use.

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Key points

Approximately one-third of people surveyed in Egypt and Jordan use vitamin D supplements.
Supplement use was more common in Jordan than in Egypt.
Factors like being female, having a higher income, and awareness of vitamin D deficiency were linked to taking supplements.
Many participants also relied on sun exposure and vitamin D-rich foods to maintain their levels.

What the study looked at

This study aimed to understand how common vitamin D supplement use is among adults in Egypt and Jordan, and what factors might influence people to take them. Researchers also explored the various ways people try to maintain adequate vitamin D levels. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey, gathering information from 1,181 individuals across both countries. This type of study provides a snapshot of behaviors and attitudes at a specific point in time. Participants were recruited over several months to gather a diverse sample. The study revealed that about 37% of participants reported using vitamin D supplements, with a higher rate in Jordan compared to Egypt. Factors associated with supplement use included being female, having a higher income, experiencing chronic health conditions, and having previously tested their vitamin D levels. Many participants also reported getting sun exposure and eating vitamin D-rich foods as ways to maintain their levels.

Dietary takeaway

This study highlights that many people in Egypt and Jordan are actively trying to maintain their vitamin D levels, often through supplements, sun exposure, and diet. While vitamin D supplements can be a useful tool, incorporating vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), fortified milk, and certain mushrooms into your daily meals is also a great strategy. Remember, this is just one study from a specific region, and individual needs for vitamin D can vary, so it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Abstract

The use of vitamin supplements is widespread throughout the world. In the Middle East, vitamin D deficiency is common. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of vitamin D supplement use and associated factors among Egyptians and Jordanians. In addition, practices for maintaining adequate vitamin D levels were investigated. The study was cross-sectional and included 1,181 subjects from Jordan and Egypt. Participant recruitment was conducted from April to October 2024. The results showed that approximately one-third of the sample (36.7%) were using vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D supplementation was more prevalent among Jordanians (45.2%) than Egyptians (27.2%, P < 0.01). Factors influencing vitamin D supplement use included female gender, high income, chronic disease, laboratory testing for vitamin D, and awareness of deficiency symptoms. Among the practices participants used to maintain adequate vitamin D levels were sun exposure (84.6%), consuming vitamin D-rich foods (79.6%), regularly monitoring the blood vitamin D levels (49.5%), and using vitamin D supplements (36.7%). The internet, university/school curricula, and healthcare providers were the main sources of information related to vitamin D. In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation is common among study participants and is associated with several factors. The study findings can inform interventions aimed at managing vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in the region.

View on PubMed →DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0357029