Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding vitamin D supplementations in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Material and Method: Our study was conducted between April and May 2015 with the participation of 752 healthcare professionals (pediatrician, pediatric resident, specialist family physician, family physician resident, general family practitioner and nurse). The study questionnaire was created by researchers in accordance with experiences and literature information. Ethics committee approval was obtained. In questionnaire along with the demographic characteristics of the participants, the knowledge and practices on vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women and nursing mothers were asked. The data were analyzed by percentage and chi-square tests.
Results: A total of 574 physicians (76.4%) and 178 nurses (23.6%) participated in our study. Of these, 418 (55.6%) participiants suggested vitamin D supplementation to pregnants. The ratio of family physician specialists’ recommendations of vitamin D supplementation (66.7%) was higher than the other groups (p

Key words: Breastfeeding mothers, pregnants, healthcare professionals, vitamin D