KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT DAIRY AND VITAMIN D IN MAZANDARAN PROVINCE OF IRAN IN 1390

Background and Aim: Dairy and Vitamin D are among the essential nutrients responsible for a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the Knowledge, attitude and practice about Dairy and vitamin D among households in Mazandaran province of Iran. Methods: Data of 456 Mazandaranian was collected by a clustered random sampling method in this cross-sectional study through 57 clusters, including 8 members in each. The data was gathered using a structured questionnaire by trained questioners and analyzed using proper statistical method by SPSS statistic software.Results: The most frequent age group consisted of adults between 40-64 years old (51.7%). 67% had knowledge about the role of dairy on bone health OR(61.9-71.7). 74.3% preferred low-fat dairy OR(79.1-68.8) and only 44.3% consumed it, while more than 50% used non-pasteurized, high-fat dairy OR(36.6-52.2). 82.6% had daily consumption of milk, yogurt or cheese OR(75.2-88), and 33.7% used butter or cream weekly. Only 14.8% of females older than 50 regularly took Calcium-vitamin D supplement OR(8.4-24.6); whereas 84.2% of 6-24 month children straightly exposed to sunlight OR(68.2-93) and vitamin A+D drop was quite perfectly consumed by 84.9% of infants OR(62.8-93.3). Conclusion: Approximately half of this community were aware of critical role of dairy and fat content but all did not chose low-fat products. Although the adherence to vitamin D supplements usage was high through childhood, failed through adulthood. This information indicates the necessity of programs for improving the knowledge, attitude and practice, which should be noticed by food policy makers.

کلیدواژه ها:

knowledge ، attitude ، practice ، Dairy ، Vitamin D ، Iran