Vivek Kumar Kori, Ashish Gohiya, Akshay Kumar Shah, Manish Patil, Vishal Kumar
Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among HCWs in this tertiary care setting. The findings were observed in the context of limited sunlight exposure, low physical activity, predominantly vegetarian dietary patterns, and infrequent supplementation. However, because of the cross-sectional, single-center design and reliance on self-reported exposure data, causal or independent associations cannot be established. Routine awareness, screening of high-risk individuals, and preventive strategies may be beneficial.
INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency is increasingly recognized as a significant public health problem, even in sun-rich countries such as India. Health care workers (HCWs) are particularly vulnerable due to prolonged indoor duty hours, limited sunlight exposure, and irregular lifestyle patterns, which may adversely affect their health and work performance.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among HCWs in a tertiary care center and to describe its distribution in relation to demographic, occupational, lifestyle, dietary, supplementation, and clinical characteristics.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional study among HCWs aged >18 years at a tertiary care center after Ethical Committee approval. Data regarding demographic profile, occupational characteristics, sunlight exposure, physical activity, dietary habits, and Vitamin D supplementation were collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured using a chemiluminescence assay. Vitamin D status was categorized as deficiency (<20 ng/mL), insufficiency (20-30 ng/mL), and sufficiency (>30 ng/mL). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0.
RESULTS: A total of 317 participants were analyzed. Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 71.9% of participants, insufficiency in 22.1%, and sufficient levels in 6.0%. The majority reported limited sunlight exposure (<1 h/day; 75.4%) and low physical activity (<30 min/day; 75.7%). Most participants followed a vegetarian diet (71.3%), and only 15.5% reported recent Vitamin D supplementation. Common clinical manifestations included fatigue (34.4%), hair fall (21.5%), and muscle weakness (19.9%).
CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among HCWs in this tertiary care setting. The findings were observed in the context of limited sunlight exposure, low physical activity, predominantly vegetarian dietary patterns, and infrequent supplementation. However, because of the cross-sectional, single-center design and reliance on self-reported exposure data, causal or independent associations cannot be established. Routine awareness, screening of high-risk individuals, and preventive strategies may be beneficial.