Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread public health concern, necessitating a clear understanding of knowledge, at

titudes, and practices (KAP) among populations. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess Libyan citizens'

knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding vitamin D in the western region of Libya. This study was carried out

between June and September of 2021. A questionnaire was distributed across the study area and the complete responses

were 314, with 62.7% were females and 37.3% were males. The scores were calculated as percentages and statistically

tested. Additionally, the impact of some socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education level, job, and salary) on

KAP towards vitamin D was investigated. The results revealed that nutritional knowledge of the participants (46.24%)

was much lower than their general knowledge (80.99%), and that the scores of attitude and practice were 74.79% and

60.06%; respectively. Furthermore, socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, education, occupation, and salary

were found to significantly influence practice scores. In conclusion, there's need for targeted public health interventions

and educational campaigns to promote accurate understanding and healthier practices related to vitamin D among

adults in Western Libya.

Keywords: Vitamin D, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, KAP, Socio-demographic influences, Questionnaire

Thyroid function is impaired by diabetes,

resulting into thyroid disorders, accompanied by

the alteration of thyroid-stimulating hormone

(TSH) and thyroxine (T4) levels. The aim of this

study was to investigate the role of vitamin D

supplementation on TSH and total T4 levels in

serum of Libyan patients suffering from type 2

diabetes mellitus

(T2DM) with thyroid

disorders. A total of 180 subjects were recruited

and distributed into two groups: 80 participants

in control group (43 females and 37 males), with

an age range of 26-72 years, and 100

participants in T2DM patient group (54 females

and 46 males), with an age range of 26-63 years.

Each T2DM patient received a monthly

intramuscular injection of 200000 ng/ml vitamin

D for three months. Glucose, vitamin D, total T4

and TSH levels were determined in serum

samples of healthy subjects and of T2DM

patients (pre- and post-administration of vitamin

D). After the T2DM group received vitamin D

supplementation, the mean of vitamin D level

increased in the T2DM, while the mean of

glucose level decreased. Most importantly, the

mean of total T4 level for patients increased

significantly (p ˂ 0.05) from 1.34 to 8.23 g/dL,

both of which were lower than the control group

mean 10.99 g/dL. In contrast, the mean of TSH

level for patients decreased significantly (p ˂

0.05) from 11.77 to 2.71 mU/L, and both values

were greater than the control group mean 2.01

mU/L. ANOVA results showed that age, gender,

and body mass index had no significant

individual interactions (p > 0.05) with vitamin D

supplementation on total T4 and TSH levels.

Vitamin D supplementation had a beneficial role

on total T4 and TSH levels in serum of Libyan

T2DM patients with thyroid disorders.

Keywords: T2DM, thyroid disorder, total T4,

TSH, vitamin D supplementation, ANOVA, t

test.

Background/ Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels amongst

patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). However, the beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation on HbA1c levels in DM2

patients has been investigated and its role remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of vitamin D

supplementation on HbA1c levels amongst Libyan patients suffering from DM2.

Methods and design: Ninety-seven DM2 patients of both genders (M = 51) (F = 46), with an age range of 26-59 years, were recruited

from the Al-Wafi Medical Laboratory in Tripoli, Libya. All patients were informed about the nature of the study and oral consent was

obtained from all patients. Weight and height were measured, and dietary and lifestyle information was obtained. Blood samples were

collected and HbA1c and vitamin D levels were measured pre-and post-the administration of vitamin D supplementation for three

months. The participants were divided into three groups according to HbA1c level, and then into four groups, based on their vitamin

D serum levels. The relationship between vitamin D and HbA1c was investigated.

Results: Vitamin D levels have increased after the administration of vitamin D supplementation amongst DM2 patients. We noticed

that the level of HbA1c also decreased from 6.97% at the baseline to 5.65% after supplementation of vitamin D. The results showed

that the difference in HbA1c levels was significant after administration of vitamin D as a supplement (P-value = 0.000). The level of

vitamin D increased from 8.34±2.59 to 39.95±2.85 ng/ml after the administration of the supplements. In mixed ANOVA analysis, the

present study confirmed that the relationship between HbA1c and the factors measured appear to be weak and these findings indicate

that HbA1c was not influenced by all these factors studied.

Conclusions: The results of this study have shown that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced the level of HbA1c amongst

patients suffering from DM2. These results may be beneficial for the overall health and blood glucose control of those patients.