Vitamin D supplementation for infants in Kuwait : physicians’ perspectives

Abstract EN

Background : Nutritional rickets continues to be a public health problem in many countries despite the presence of cheap and effective means of preventing the disease.

A number of countries are now implementing vitamin D supplementation as part of child health policy. Objective : To assess the knowledge and vitamin D supplementation prescribing practices of physicians at the Ministry of Health in Kuwait. Methods : A questionnaire-based study of 73 physicians employed in the MOH in Kuwait.

The participants included 33 assistant registrars and registrars from the Pediatric Department, Al-Adan Hospital, Al-Ahmadi District, compared to 40 family physicians from the Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities from the same district.

All physicians completed a questionnaire about their knowledge and attitude towards vitamin D supplementation for infants. Results : Only 47 % of the physicians reported giving vitamin D supplementation, and just 44 % were aware of the correct age for starting supplementation for breast-fed infants and 29 % knew the amount of formula needed to supply the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin D.

Almost all (90 %) selected the correct dose but only 47 % were aware of the appropriate formulation.

Pediatricians at Al-Ahmadi Hospital illustrated better prescribing patterns and significantly better knowledge of vitamin D supplementation compared to the PHC family physicians. Conclusion : The prescribing patterns of vitamin D supplementation to newborns and awareness of the associated benefits are less than satisfactory among physicians in Kuwait.

This was worse among PHC family physicians as compared to hospital physicians.

Implementing vitamin D supplementation as part of child health policy in Kuwait is strongly recommended and an increased emphasis should be placed on awareness programs for physicians employed in PHC facilities.