Vitamin D Status and Its Associated Factors in Rural Subjects in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Southern Thailand
Nutjaree Jeenduang PhD1, Chalee Sriprachan BSc2, Thunyaluk Plyduang MSc3, Manit Nuinoon PhD1, Dararat Horpet BSc3, Boonnisa Sangkaew MSc1, Narissara Kaewboonlert MSc1
Affiliation : 1 Human Genetics Research Unit, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand 2 Kiriwong Health Promoting Hospital, Lansaka, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand 3 Center for Scienti(cid:976)ic and Technological Equipments, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Objective : Vitamin D de(cid:976)iciency is a global health problem. The present study aimed to investigate the vitamin D status and its
associated factors in rural subjects in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Southern Thailand.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 839 healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 94 years in Southern Thailand was
performed. Demographic variables including age, body mass index [BMI], gender, area of residence, religion, the use of multivitamin
supplements, sunscreen used, and behavioral lifestyles were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured
by electrochemiluminescent immunoassay.
Results : The prevalence of vitamin D de(cid:976)iciency and insuf(cid:976)iciency were 6.91% and 43.74%, respectively. Women showed a signi(cid:976)icantly
higher in vitamin D de(cid:976)iciency than men (8.05% versus 2.38%, p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin
D de(cid:976)iciency and/or hypovitaminosis D were associated with being Muslim, women, living inland, alcohol consumption, obesity,
the use of sunscreen, and advancing age.
Conclusion : The prevalence of vitamin D insuf(cid:976)iciency is high in rural subjects in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The lifestyle modi(cid:976)ication
such as increasing sun exposure, increasing outdoor activity, increasing vitamin D intake, avoiding alcohol intake, and reducing
weight, should be implemented to prevent vitamin D de(cid:976)iciency and hypovitaminosis D.
Keywords : Vitamin D de(cid:976)iciency, Vitamin D insuf(cid:976)iciency, Risk factors, Prevalence
