Parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vitamin A and D intake in children: a study from Yangzhou, China.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin deficiency remains a significant global public health issue, especially in pediatric healthcare. This study aimed to access knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of parents from Yangzhou (China) towards vitamin A and D intake in their children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey was carried out in Yangzhou, China, between December 2022 and May 2023. Self-designed questionnaire was utilized to gather data on the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) among parents of children aged between 3 months and 12 years.

RESULTS

The survey yielded 475 valid responses. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was 8.84% and 4.42%, respectively, while vitamin A deficiency was reported in 0.21% of children. The analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) scores in parents revealed mean values of 4.93 ± 1.92 (with a possible range of 0-13) for Knowledge, 33.73 ± 3.69 (range 10-40) for Attitudes, and 37.07 ± 4.22 (range 10-50) for Practices. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) confirmed a significant impact of vitamin knowledge on attitudes (β= -0.059, P < 0.001) and of attitudes on practices (β = 0.772, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Parents in Yangzhou (China) had insufficient knowledge, but positive attitudes and moderate practices towards vitamin A and D intake in their children.