Abstract
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem related to public health causing multiple disorders, for example rickets, osteoporosis (weak bones) and osteomalacia. Lack of information, education and perception about the normal requirements of vitamin D is leading to emergence of many diseases in Saudi population. We aimed to assess Knowledge and practice of vitamin D deficiency and risk of hair loss among adult female population in Saudi Arabia.
 Methods: We performed a cross sectional study in adult females older than 16 years who are residing in Saudi Arabia. We excluded female healthcare workers. Knowledge and practice of vitamin D deficiency and risk of hair loss were measured among included female. Data were analyzed using SPSS.
 Results: A total of 810 female were included. Most of participants were between 18-25 (41.6%) and 26-35 (39.5%) years old. 42.6% of total participant were single. 96% of them heard about vitamin D. The main source of information were Relatives & friends (55.8%) followed by health care professional (50.75%). 503 (62.1%) of the participating females correctly knew that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and hair loss, 188 (23.2%) thought that there is no relationship while 119 (14.7%) did not know or did not have any opinion. Regarding practice, about 216 (26.7%) participants exposed themselves to sunlight, and 40% were taking Vitamin D supplement. The overall knowledge score was 9.4±2.80 out of 18. A significant difference in knowledge score was found according to age, nationality, residence and marital status.
 Conclusions: The overall knowledge score was average among participants, and majority of them heard about vitamin D. About two third of the participants knew that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and hair loss. There is a need to increase the taking of vitamin D supplement among female for prevention from diseases.
Highlights
About two third of the participants knew that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and hair loss
(70.2%), and depression (63.1%). 503 (62.1%) of the participating females correctly knew that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and hair loss, 188 (23.2%) thought that there is no relationship while 119 (14.7%) did not know or did not have any opinion (Fig. 2)
Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem related to public health causing multiple disorders, for example rickets, osteoporosis and osteomalacia
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is a global problem related to public health causing multiple disorders, for example rickets, osteoporosis (weak bones) and osteomalacia. We aimed to assess Knowledge and practice of vitamin D deficiency and risk of hair loss among adult female population in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge and practice of vitamin D deficiency and risk of hair loss were measured among included female. Vitamins and minerals are essential for growth of normal cell and performing their function and in case of its deficiency, it may contribute to hair loss. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the commonest global health conditions as there are more than billion of people worldwide who are vitamin D deficient or insufficient despite the huge advance in the medical services [8] This deficiency disorder has been reported as a global problem related to public health considering its primary involvement in pathogenesis of the most widespread medical conditions of the skeletal system [9,10]
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