Abstract
Background: Routine supplementation of vitamin D to infants is justifiable since vitamin D deficiency, and its consequences are highly prevalent not only in developing countries but worldwide. Maintaining a normal level of vitamin D is crucial in order to have a normal skeletal, as well as, extra-skeletal health. Knowledge of mothers regarding importance of vitamin D supplementation affect the health of their babies in a positive manner if accompanied by appropriate practice.
 Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of Iraqi mothers of under or equal 12 months old infants in Baghdad, AL-Rusafa, regarding vitamin D supplementation for their infants.
 Type of the study: A cross-sectional study.
 Methods: A descriptive cross sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted at six primary health care centers in Baghdad AL-Rusafa. 400 mothers of under or equal 12 months old infants attending primary health care centers (PHCC)for routine vaccination and follow up of their infants were included in the study from the 10th of February 2016 till the 10th of June 2016.
 Results: A total of 400 mothers enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 27.11years ±6.65572, Only (45%) (n=180) of them had given their infants vitamin D drops, with a mean score of vitamin D supplementation practice of 1.26±1.51265 from 4 which was significantly correlated with their knowledge score which was 3.6100±2.14987 from 9 and their attitude score which was 3.6275±1.89644 from 6.
 Conclusion: The study revealed poor knowledge, fair attitude and poor practice among mothers regarding vitamin D supplement for their infants. 
Highlights
Routine supplementation of vitamin D to infants is justifiable since vitamin D deficiency, and its consequences are highly prevalent in developing countries but worldwide
The sample maternal Socio- Demographic Data is similar to a study conducted by Alramdhan A, et al in Al-Absa, Eastern Saudi Arabia at 2012.(9) And similar to a recent study published by Al Marzooqi D, et al in 2014 in UAE, except in employment status and educational level, in which (59.4%) of emirates mothers were housewife, and (68.3%) of them were university graduates
(10) The poor knowledge about vitamin D among Iraqi mothers in our study, goes with Al Marzooqi D,et al in UAE at 2014 who found that the mean knowledge score was 1.88 out of 6 indicating poor knowledge about vitamin D among Emirates mothers.(10) In this study, only 19% of mothers were aware that vitamin D supplementation should be started within one week of birth
Summary
Routine supplementation of vitamin D to infants is justifiable since vitamin D deficiency, and its consequences are highly prevalent in developing countries but worldwide. Maintaining a normal level of vitamin D is crucial in order to have a normal skeletal, as well as, extra-skeletal health. Knowledge of mothers regarding importance of vitamin D supplementation affect the health of their babies in a positive manner if accompanied by appropriate practice. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of Iraqi mothers of under or equal 12 months old infants in Baghdad, AL-Rusafa, regarding vitamin D supplementation for their infants. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted at six primary health care centers in Baghdad AL-Rusafa. 400 mothers of under or equal 12 months old infants attending primary health care centers (PHCC)for routine vaccination and follow up of their infants were included in the study from the 10th of February 2016 till the 10th of June 2016 Methods: A descriptive cross sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted at six primary health care centers in Baghdad AL-Rusafa. 400 mothers of under or equal 12 months old infants attending primary health care centers (PHCC)for routine vaccination and follow up of their infants were included in the study from the 10th of February 2016 till the 10th of June 2016
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