Vitamin D Deficiency Knowledge and Associated Factors among Nursing Students at the University of Sulaimani, Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nursing students need good knowledge regarding Vitamin D to promote health and prevent deficiency. The current study aimed to assess the knowledge of nursing students about Vitamin D deficiency at the University of Sulaimani. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 nursing students, who were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about Vitamin D deficiency. Knowledge scores were classified as high or low. The mean knowledge score was 30.8 out of 52 (59.24%), with 50% having high knowledge and 50% having low knowledge. The overall average correct answer rate was 59.24%. Students performed best on questions about Vitamin D increasing chronic disease risk (76.27%) and improving muscle strength and reducing fall risk (72.88%). They struggled with low Vitamin D increasing the risk of autoimmune disease, infection (36.44%), regulating mood and reducing the risk or severity of depression and anxiety (38.98%), and darker skin risk (40.67%). Self-reported Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with knowledge level (P = 0.04). These findings suggest that nursing education should provide both theoretical knowledge and practical behaviors such as appropriate sun exposure, dietary intake, and supplementation.