Evaluation of Vitamin D and Associated Factors in Working and Retired Teachers in Yazd, Iran

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for maintaining bone structure Existing evidence shows the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency worldwide, especially in developing countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluation of Vitamin D and associated factors in teachers who working and retired in Yazd city 2011. Sixty eligible teachers were selected by systematic random sampling to participate in this cross sectional study. 2 ml of fast blood was drawn and following separation of serum, 25-OH vitamin D was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS softwarever16. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Mean of serum 25-OH vitamin D in studied participants was 18.4. Overall, 90% of teachers had vitamin D deficiency. Prevalence of mild, moderate and severe forms of vitamin D deficiency was 23.3,35 and 31.7%, respectively. Results showed that there were significant differences in mean serum 25-OH vitamin D level in term of gender and body areas exposed to sunlight ( P value= 0.01 and P value< 0.0001, respectively). Based in this study; there is a significant deficiency of vitamin D in both groups of participants (working and retired teachers) in Yazd city. Due to role of teachers in education of society and their awareness effects on community awareness, it is important to know effective factors of deficiency of vitamin D and appropriate approach to solve this problem. Meanwhile sensitization of teachers for vitamin d deficiency do facilitate any program of supplementation in schools.