[Study of 116 mothers of the knowledge, behavior, and practices of vitamin D supplementation]

In our country, the prevention of rickets is based on daily vitamin D intake from birth to eighteen months. This vitamin D intake has decreased according to our hospital practice.

To assess vitamin D supplementation prevalence and to study mother knowledge, attitude and practices about vitamin D and factors that influenced them and to define target population who needs further education.

A predefined questionnaire was submitted to 116 mother's child who was aged from two months to three years and were hospitalised for acute disease in Tunis children hospital. The questionnaire was filled by the paediatrician. He included as well questions on vitamin D supplementation and questions on sociodemographics characteristics.

68% of the infants had received vitamin D.The various significant factors who influenced the knowledge about vitamin D were father and mother out of work, low education level, and the living in a deserited area. The factors that influenced significantly the practices were the one parity and the living far away, up to five kilometre, from a primary health care.

Given that the supplementation of vitamin D is recommended for all infants the study show that supplementation prevalence is unsatisfactorily low. Various risks factors were identified. In view of the new evidence emerging on additional preventive properties of vitamin D and the resurgence of rickets, its promotion must be discussed anew.