INTRODUCTION:

The twentieth century served as an era of discoveries of vitamins and the establishment of the disorders pertaining to their deficiencies. Vitamins are organic compounds that are required in small quantities by the body for proper growth and development.. There are 13 vitamins in which vitamin A, D, E and K are fat soluble vitamins while Vitamin C and B (all types) are water soluble.(1) Since ,Vitamin D is focussed on this survey it would be relevance to mention that Vitamin D, an oldest sunshine hormone is well-recognised for its role in calcium homeostasis and bone health. In addition, the discovery of Vitamin D receptor and extra renal synthesis of Vitamin D has directed the researchers to explore distinctive and the hidden role of this hormone or vitamin. (2) Avoidance of sunshine exposure as they think it makes their skin colour black. These factors predispose to a reduction in endogenous synthesis of vitamin D. In addition, inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D may result in low vitamin D status.(3) The “D” represents D2 or D3. Vitamin D2 is manufactured through the ultraviolet irradiation of ergosterol from yeast, and vitamin D3 through the ultraviolet irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol from lanolin.(4) Apart from its skeletal effect, vitamin D is associated with reduction of the risk of cancer, autoimmune, infectious and cardiovascular diseases(5). Vitamin D deficiency leads to poor calcium absorption, high serum PTH concentrations and accelerated bone loss. It has also been reported that deficiency can lead to loss of muscle strength and an increased likelihood of falling, which in turn increases the risk of fracture(.6) High levels of circulating 25(OH)D may be associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer, and possibly breast cancer (7) Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of rickets. Vitamin D deficiency prevents the efficient absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus. In a vitamin D–deficient state, only 10–15% of dietary calcium and 50–60% of dietary phosphorus are absorbed. The poor absorption of calcium causes a decrease in serum-ionised calcium levels.(8)

The Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) reported an adequate Intake (AI) level of 5 μg/day (200 IU/day) for vitamin D in men and women aged 19 to 50 years; the level is 10 μg/day (400 IU/day) for men and women aged 51 to 70 years, and 15 μg/day (600 IU/day) for men and women older than 70.(9) fatty fish, eggs, organ meats and UV-irradiated mushrooms are some of the main sources of vitamin D. vitamin D deficiency is associated with several chronic diseases such as cancer, infection, asthma, and dermatopathies (skin problems of unknown etiologies) insulin resistance, diabetes and related microvascular complications and retinopathy .Vitamin D insufficiency can cause calcium malabsorption and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Multiparity and menopause also seem to be statistically associated with hypovitaminosis D.(10).

MATERIALS AND METHODS :

This study was conducted among dental students of Saveetha dental college. A self administered questionnaire was developed to assess the knowledge of vitamin D. This questionnaire consists of 20 questions .Few questions were asked to assess their basic knowledge about vitamin D. Questionnaire includes questions based on their current vitamin D level, vitamin D rich food items, RDA of vitamin D in adult, requirement of vitamin D in pregnancy or breast feeding women. Few questions on synthesis of vitamin D, role of vitamin D in maintaining proper health, vitamin D deficiency diseases, factors which causes vitamin D deficiency diseases were also included.

SURVEY QUESTIONS :

Do you know that you are taking enough vitamin D in your diet ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	60	66.7	66.7	66.7
No	30	33.3	33.3	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do you know the RDA of vitamin D for an adult ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	60	66.7	66.7	66.7
No	30	33.3	33.3	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Is vitamin D one of the 13 essential dietary vitamins ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	70	77.8	77.8	77.8
No	20	22.2	22.2	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do your body produces vitamin D naturally through direct exposure to sunlight ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	80	88.9	88.9	88.9
No	10	11.1	11.1	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Is there any relationships between dental caries and vitamin D deficiency ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	68	75.6	75.6	75.6
No	22	24.4	24.4	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Whether dark skin affects the synthesis of vitamin D ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	68	44.4	44.4	44.4
No	22	55.6	55.6	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Does melanin affect the synthesis of vitamin D ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	47	52.2	52.2	52.2
No	43	47.8	47.8	100.0
Total	90	100.0	199.0

Do strict vegan diet , milk allergic patient have more probability of getting vitamin D deficiency ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	70	77.8	77.8	77.8
No	20	22.2	22.2	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do cosmetic items cause deficiency of vitamin D ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	48	53.3	53.3	53.3
No	42	46.7	46.7	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do you know the role of vitamin D for maintaining proper good health ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	68	75.6	75.6	75.6
No	22	24.4	24.4	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Does vitamin D deficiency cause rickets , osteoporosis ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	60	76.7	76.6	76.7
No	21	23.3	23.3	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Does vitamin D deficiency cause muscle weakness ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	69	76.7	76.7	76.7
No	21	23.3	23.3	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Does vitamin D help in preventing diabetes, hypertension ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	63	70.0	70.0	70.0
No	27	30.0	30.0	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do you know that vitamin D helps in calcium absorption ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	70	77.8	77.8	77.8
No	20	22.2	22.2	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Does intake of vitamin D strengthens the immune system ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	69	76.7	76.7	76.7
No	21	23.3	23.3	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do you know that deficiency of vitamin D causes restless sleep ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	52	57.8	57.8	57.8
No	38	42.2	42.2	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Does vitamin D deficiency linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	50	55.6	55.6	55.6
No	40	44.4	44.4	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do you know that pregnancy or breast feeding women needs 600 IU of vitamin D ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	59	65.6	65.6	65.6
No	31	34.4	34.4	100,0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Do you know your current vitamin D level ?

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Yes	25	27.8	27.8	27.8
No	65	72.2	72.2	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

Level of awareness

	Frequency	Percent	Valid percent	Cumulative percent
Inadequate awareness	14	15.6	15.6	15.6
Moderate awareness	62	68.9	68.9	84.4
Adequate awareness	14	15.6	15.6	100.0
Total	90	100.0	100.0

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION :

Chart showing the student^’s awareness about vitamin D

A total of 90 students participated in the study. The students were asked whether they are taking enough vitamin D in their diet.66.7% of students replied that they are taking enough vitamin D in their diet.61.1% of students are not aware about the vitamin D rich food items.66.7% of students have the knowledge about the RDA of vitamin D for an adult .Most of the students 77.8% are aware that vitamin D is one of the 13 essential dietary vitamins.88.9% of students agreed that body produces vitamin D naturally through direct exposure to sunlight.75.6% of students have the knowledge about the relationship between dental caries and vitamin D.44.4% and 52.2% of students are aware that the synthesis of vitamin D is affected by dark skin and melanin respectively.77.8% of students have the knowledge that strict vegan diet ,milk allergic patient have more probability of getting vitamin D deficiency. Only 22.2% of students do not know this fact.53.3% of students are conscious that cosmetic items cause deficiency of vitamin D. More than70% of students are aware that vitamin D deficiency causes rickets, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and the role of vitamin D in maintaining good health, calcium absorption, immune system and its tendency in preventing diabetes, hypertension. Less than 60% of students have the knowledge that the rest sleep, prostate cancer, breast cancer is linked to vitamin D deficiency. 65.6% of students aware that the pregnancy or breast feeding women needs 600 IU of vitamin D. Majority of students are not aware about their current vitamin D level. Only 27.8 % of students know their current vitamin D level. On whole,15.6% of students have inadequate awareness, 68.8% of students have moderate awareness,15.6% of students have adequate awareness on vitamin D.

CONCLUSION :

This survey clearly shows that most of the dental students only have moderate awareness on vitamin D. Education should be given to create the awareness of vitamin D among dental students since the knowledge of health related issues is most important for medical students, as they shall be responsible for the health of the society.

REFERENCES :

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2. Harsh Arora, Vivek Dixit, Nidhi Srivastava- Evaluation of knowledge, practices of vitamin d and attitude toward sunlight among Indian students –Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research-Vol 9, Issue 1, 2016.ISSN - 0974-2441.

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9. Suzette Poliquin, Lawrence Joseph, Katherine Gray-Donald- Calcium and Vitamin D Intakes In an Adult Canadian Population. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research – Vol 70 No 1, Spring 2009

10. Amal A. Alshahrani- Vitamin D Deficiency and Possible Risk Factors Among Middle Eastern University Students in London, Ontario, Canada. western graduates and postgradual studies. May 2014.

Received on 13.05.2016 Modified on 27.05.2016

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2016; 9(8):1133-1136.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2016.00215.8