The Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in the East Azarbaijan Province and its Relationship With Demographic Factors

Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for various physiological functions. Its deficiency can lead to numerous health problems, making it a significant global health concern. However, limited data are available regarding its prevalence in East Azerbaijan province. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this region and explore its association with demographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban and rural areas of East Azarbaijan province in 2018. A total of 1500 households from Tabriz, Marand, Bonab, Osku, Varzeghan, and Khodaafarin were examined. The socio-demographic questionnaires were completed, and serum vitamin D levels were measured using the ELISA method. The relationship between vitamin D status and demographic factors was analyzed using SPSS. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2816 individuals were investigated in the present study. Overall, more than 76.9% of the participants exhibited varying degrees of vitamin D deficiency, with a significantly higher prevalence in rural areas (64.6%) compared to Tabriz city (37.7%) (P<0.001). However, the age group between 35 and 45 years had the highest prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (84.2%). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in men and women was reported to be 40.6% and 61.9%, respectively (P=0.01). No significant differences were found between single and married individuals (P>0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is significantly more prevalent in rural areas than in Tabriz city, with a higher incidence in women compared to men. Recognizing this issue is crucial for implementing preventive measures. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.