Prevalence of Serum Vitamin D Levels in the Iraqi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Vitamin D deficiency in children causes rickets. It prevents children from reaching their maximum bone mass and genetic height. Abnormal mineralization of the collagen matrix in bone, known as osteomalacia, occurs in adults with vitamin D deficiency. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of serum vit. D levels in the Iraqi population. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from October 2024 to January 2025.Data was collected by directly interviewing the participants, the time needed for each interview was 10-15 minutes and screening for vit. D level by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (23[OH]D) concentration as a part of their routine laboratory tests. Results: The majority of individuals in this group are deficient in vitamin D3 (4.6%), with very few in the insufficient and sufficient categories (0.6% each). Primary education: A significant percentage of individuals in this group are deficient (13.4%), with 3.2% in the insufficient category and 1.2% in the sufficient category. Secondary education: This group has a relatively higher proportion of deficient individuals (23%), with 8.8% being insufficient and 4.6% being sufficient. College: The deficient category is most prevalent in this group (25%), with 6.8% insufficient and 4.4% sufficient. Higher education: This group has the lowest proportion of deficient individuals (2.4%), with 0.8% insufficient and 0.6% sufficient. Urban residents: A larger proportion of urban residents are deficient in vitamin D3 (41.4%), with fewer individuals categorized as insufficient (8%) or sufficient (4.4%). Rural residents: A smaller proportion of rural residents are deficient (27%), with a higher percentage categorized as insufficient (12.2%) and sufficient (7%). Individuals with chronic conditions (Yes): A significant proportion are deficient in vitamin D3 (20.6%), with smaller percentages classified as insufficient (3.8%) or sufficient (1.6%). Individuals without chronic conditions (No): A larger proportion are deficient (47.8%), with a higher percentage classified as insufficient (16.4%) and sufficient (9.8%). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between vitamin D levels and educational attainment, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency affects people in all educational groups. A significant association was found between place of residence and vitamin D levels. Urban dwellers had a higher prevalence of deficiency than rural dwellers. The association between the presence of chronic diseases and vitamin D levels was statistically significant.