Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigated vitamin D level and knowledge among 235 participants, examining the influence of occupational and demographic factors. Data were collected on estimated vitamin D levels from clinical diagnostic reports, sociodemographic characteristics, sunlight exposure, and knowledge about vitamin D. Results revealed significant gender-based differences in vitamin D levels, with females exhibiting a higher prevalence of deficiency (56.9%) compared to males (50.7%), whereas males exhibited higher mean levels than females across age groups, particularly in the 36–45 and 46–55 age ranges (p < 0.05). Outdoor workers had the highest vitamin D levels (males: 43.02 ± 14.81 ng/mL; females: 36.84 ± 11.28 ng/mL), while indoor workers had the lowest (males: 18.06 ± 5.43 ng/mL; females: 14.35 ± 4.67 ng/mL). Sunlight exposure positively correlated with vitamin D levels, with significant differences for exposure durations of 30–180 minutes (p < 0.05). Knowledge about vitamin D was higher among students (68.4%) and those with higher education (85.2% among graduates), while it was lower among homemakers (25.7%) and those with no education (38.5%). These findings underscore the impact of occupation, sunlight exposure, and education on vitamin D status and knowledge, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address deficiencies.

Key words: Vitamin D, Occupational Variation, Demographic Factors, Sunlight Exposure, Knowledge