Assessment of multivitamin usage and factors affecting lifestyle of community in Lahore. Pakistan: cross-sectional study

Multivitamin supplements are widely used to prevent nutritional deficiencies and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate multivitamin usage patterns and examine the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors influencing their consumption in the community of Lahore, Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was administered to 605 participants (381 medical, 224 non-medical), selected via convenience sampling, between 10th January − 8th August, 2024 to access multivitamin intake trends. The data were analyzed via SPSS, with chi-square and logistic regression was applied to assess associations between demographics and multivitamin intake. The participants were aged 21–25 years, female, from a middle social class, and living in urban areas. Overall, 58.2% reported multivitamin use. Medical students showed greater awareness (73.98%), yet usage was higher among non-medical participants (66.9%). Medical students favored professional supervision (80.31%), although self-medication was common across both groups. Logistic regression identified the field of study as the only significant predictor (OR = 1.717, p = 0.005). Socioeconomic factors such as cost, income, and healthcare access influence usage patterns, while education shaped knowledge. Cultural beliefs and affordability further contributed to multivitamin consumption behaviors. These findings suggest that public health campaigns should focus on the rational use of multivitamins and address misconceptions through education programs.