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Kambal N, Abdelwahab S, Albasheer O, Taha S, Abdelrahman N, Bani I, Alsayegh A, Shammaky E, Duwayri N, Alhazmi A, Mahzari M, Hakami N. Vitamin D knowledge, awareness and practices of female students in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36529. [PMID: 38134098 PMCID: PMC10735156 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a common health problem among adults in Saudi Arabia, particularly females. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and cognitive decline. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of vitamin D deficiency among female students in Jazan University as well as to determine the sociodemographic related factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 female undergraduate and postgraduate students (18 years of age and older) in March 2022 from Saudi Arabia. Students completed a web-based survey about vitamin D and their demographic characteristics. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Descriptive statistics, the Chi-squared test of homogeneity, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used. The results revealed that the participants had limited knowledge related to vitamin D normal level (49.5%), and the recommended daily amount of vitamin D (26.5%). Most of the participants were unaware of its benefits for vision, muscle integrity, weakness, and fatigue. Most of them recognized the importance of sunlight for maintaining suitable levels of vitamin D (94.1%). However, only 43.1% identified that decreased intake of foods rich in vitamin D is a cause of vitamin D deficiency. Participants (33.7%) preferred exposure to sunlight to improve their vita-min D levels, and 32.4% used vitamin D supplements. However, only 39.2% had ever examined their vitamin D status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated a significant association between knowledge, and residence, and source of information (odds ratios = 3.48 and 2.79, respectively, P < .05). Most respondents had a basic understanding of vitamin D, vitamin D insufficiency, and the environmental and dietary factors contributing to it. Given the findings obtained, cognitive interventions need to be carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla Kambal
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Osama Albasheer
- Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara Taha
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nusayba Abdelrahman
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Bani
- College of Medicine, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdulrahman Alsayegh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eithar Shammaky
- Applied Medical Sciences College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawal Duwayri
- Applied Medical Sciences College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Alhazmi
- Applied Medical Sciences College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maryam Mahzari
- Applied Medical Sciences College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser Hakami
- Surgical Department, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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Clare IM, Francis J, Gamage N, Nguyen R, Gorman S. A Gender Lens on User Quality Ratings From Young Teenagers Assessing the Sun Safe App: Comparing Responses From Co-researchers and Participants of Pilot Intervention Studies. JMIR DERMATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.2196/35203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Crowder SL, Buro AW, Lacson JCA, Kim Y, Sutton SK, Roetzheim RG, Vadaparampil ST, Stern M, Kanetsky PA. Retention and Evaluation of Precision and Generic Prevention Materials for Melanoma: A Qualitative Study Comparing Young Adults and Adults. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2022; 15:533-542. [PMID: 35665800 PMCID: PMC9357111 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-22-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
A randomized trial was conducted to examine whether providing precision prevention materials incorporating melanocortin-1 receptor genetic risk information would increase intention to practice melanoma preventive behaviors. Here, we determine retention/evaluation of prevention materials for adolescent and young adults (AYA) 18 to 39 years old versus adults aged 40+ at 6 and 12 months as an a priori adjunct analysis to the primary research question. Using qualitative methodology, open-ended questions probing most important information from prevention materials and additional comments were collected at 6 and 12 months after baseline. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic/self-reported characteristics. Two independent researchers applied qualitative thematic content analysis to identify major themes in open-ended questions. Of the 1,134 participants randomized, 906 completed at least one of the follow-up surveys and contributed to analyses of intervention efficacy. Five major thematic categories emerged from the open-ended response data: (i) tips and tricks for sun protection; (ii) cancer prevention; (iii) risk factors and genetics; (iv) general information; and (v) intervention comments. Across all ages, the most important information retained were sun protection techniques in the generic prevention materials group and identifying the importance of genetic risk factors/implementing lifestyle behavior changes in the precision prevention materials group. For additional comments, AYA participants in the generic prevention materials group preferred more scientific information including statistics and citations for references while adults were more likely to state they already knew cancer prevention techniques. Results provide unique qualitative evaluation of AYA versus adult retention of prevention materials for melanoma that enhance quantitative findings. PREVENTION RELEVANCE It is important to evaluate information within groups defined by periods of the life trajectory, e.g., AYA and adults, to best inform preferences, knowledge, and motivation for behavior change. By assessing retention, evidence-based interventions can be designed to better support public health messaging and encourage positive health behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia L. Crowder
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - Acadia W. Buro
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - John Charles A. Lacson
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Youngchul Kim
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Steven K. Sutton
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Richard G. Roetzheim
- Department of Family Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Susan T. Vadaparampil
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - Marilyn Stern
- College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Peter A Kanetsky
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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Clare IM, Gamage N, Alvares GA, Black LJ, Francis J, Jaimangal M, Lucas RM, Strickland M, White J, Nguyen R, Gorman S. The Effects of Using the Sun Safe App on Sun Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Young Teenagers: Results of Pilot Intervention Studies. JMIR DERMATOLOGY 2022; 5:e35137. [PMID: 37632872 PMCID: PMC10334904 DOI: 10.2196/35137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A balanced approach toward sun exposure and protection is needed by young people. Excessive sun exposure increases their risk for skin cancers such as melanoma, whereas some exposure is necessary for vitamin D and healthy bones. We have developed a new iOS smartphone app-Sun Safe-through a co-design process, which aims to support healthy and balanced decision-making by young teenagers (aged 12-13 years). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the capacity of Sun Safe to improve sun health knowledge and behaviors of young teenagers in 3 pilot intervention studies completed in 2020. METHODS Young teenagers (aged 12-13 years; N=57) were recruited through the web or through a local school via an open-access website and given access to Sun Safe (29/57, 51%) or a placebo (SunDial) app (28/57, 49%). Participants completed sun health questionnaires and knowledge quizzes before and after the 6-week intervention (either on the web or in class) and rated the quality of the app they used via a survey. RESULTS Of the 57 participants, 51 (89%) participants (26, 51% for placebo arm and 25, 49% for the Sun Safe arm) completed these studies, with most (>50%) reporting that they used a smartphone to access their designated app either "once a fortnight" or "once/twice in total." Improved sun health knowledge-particularly about the UV Index-was observed in participants who were given access to Sun Safe compared with those who used the placebo (-6.2 [percentage correct] difference in predicted means, 95% CI -12.4 to -0.03; P=.049; 2-way ANOVA). Unexpectedly, there were significantly more sunburn events in the Sun Safe group (relative risk 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-1.8; P=.02; Fisher exact test), although no differences in time spent outdoors or sun-protective behaviors were reported. COVID-19 pandemic-related community-wide shutdowns during April 2020 (when schools were closed) reduced the time spent outdoors by >100 minutes per day (-105 minutes per day difference in predicted means, 95% CI -150 to -59 minutes per day; P=.002; paired 2-tailed Student t test). Sun Safe was well-rated by participants, particularly for information (mean 4.2, SD 0.6 out of 5). CONCLUSIONS Access to the Sun Safe app increased sun health knowledge among young teenagers in these pilot intervention studies. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these observations and further test the effects of Sun Safe on sun-protective behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle M Clare
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Nisali Gamage
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Gail A Alvares
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Lucinda J Black
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Jacinta Francis
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Robyn M Lucas
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - James White
- Reach Health Promotion Innovations, Perth, Australia
| | - Rebecca Nguyen
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Shelley Gorman
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Gamage N, Nguyen R, Clare IM, Lucas RM, Strickland M, Granich J, Gorman S. Sun-health behaviours and attitudes towards sun safety amongst Australian teenagers: a qualitative update. BMC Res Notes 2021; 14:349. [PMID: 34496962 PMCID: PMC8425089 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-021-05764-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore current attitudes towards sun protection, and sun-seeking behaviour among young Australian adolescents. It was done as part of a larger project aiming to develop a digital resource to support young people in making informed sun-health decisions. RESULTS Ten (4 male, 6 female) adolescents (12-13 years of age) living in Perth (Western Australia) were recruited through a social media-based strategy. Each participant engaged in a semi-structured telephone interview which explored their sun-health decision-making, with interview transcripts assessed qualitatively using NVivo. Three major themes (and eight sub-themes) were identified: (1) 'personal sun health considerations'; (2) 'attitudes towards sun protection'; and (3) 'recommendations'. The importance of sun protection was appreciated by participants. However, females were more diligent in the use of sun protection while males were indifferent. Behaviours were influenced by parental input, the school environment and engagement in sport. Adolescents had limited knowledge of the UV Index and its implications for sun protection, and the health importance of sun-derived vitamin D. Overall, the importance of sun protection was acknowledged but did not consistently translate into sun protective behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisali Gamage
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6008 Australia
| | - Rebecca Nguyen
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6008 Australia
| | - Isabelle M. Clare
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6008 Australia
| | - Robyn M. Lucas
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Joanna Granich
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6008 Australia
| | - Shelley Gorman
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA 6008 Australia
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