Journal Article

Measuring Vitamin Literacy and Information-Seeking Behavior

Alshadidi, Abdullah, Buhayr, Saeed, Alanezi, Fatimah O, Albanai, Wala H, Alqabail, Waiel A, Al Obaid, Hajar, Al-Humam, Ibrahim, Al-Shahrani, Wajan, Alghamdi, Husam, Alhur, Anas, Altowairqi, Refal, Adel Qasim, Sondos, Alhur, Afrah A, Mohammed, Rahaf, Alqahtani, Suha

2024

Overview

Background The significance of vitamins in maintaining health necessitates a comprehensive understanding among the population, which is critical for making informed decisions pertaining to diet and vitamin supplementation. Nevertheless, there is a notable deficiency in research regarding the mechanisms through which individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) acquire and utilize vitamin-related knowledge, marking a considerable void in public health and nutrition education. Methods This study proposes a quantitative, cross-sectional analysis to evaluate vitamin literacy and information-seeking behaviors within KSA's diverse demographic sectors. Survey instruments will be utilized to ascertain the primary sources from which individuals derive vitamin information and to analyze the factors that influence the integration of this knowledge into daily health practices. Results Analysis showed significant variance in vitamin literacy with age and education acting as key differentiators. Kruskal-Wallis tests indicated significant differences in self-rated vitamin knowledge across age groups (p < 0.001), and Chi-square tests confirmed the association between education level and supplement use (p = 0.0022). The majority of participants demonstrated moderate knowledge of vitamins, yet a discrepancy exists between this knowledge and dietary application. Trust in information sources emerged as a significant predictor of dietary change (Chi-square, p < 0.001), although a substantial portion of participants did not actively incorporate vitamin knowledge into their daily diet. Conclusion The enhancement of vitamin literacy is paramount for the formulation of effective public health strategies. Our findings suggest that targeted educational programs, especially for younger and less-educated populations, are crucial to bridge the gap between vitamin knowledge and its application in daily diet. In addition, efforts should focus on improving the credibility of information sources, as this significantly influences dietary changes. These initiatives can lead to more informed decision-making regarding diet and vitamin supplementation, ultimately fostering healthier living practices and reducing the occurrences of vitamin-related health issues within the KSA populace. This research contributes substantively to the development of tailored educational initiatives and informed policymaking, guiding future efforts to advance nutrition guidelines and public health in the region.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V,Cureus
• Subject: Age groups / Confidence / Confidentiality / Cultural differences / Design / Diabetes / Diet / Education / Gender / Healthcare Technology / Information seeking behavior / Knowledge / Literacy / Nutrition research / Other / Professional ethics / Professionals / Public Health / Questionnaires / Secondary schools / Sociodemographics / Statistical inference / Trends / Validity / Vitamin D / Vitamin deficiency