Determination of Vitamin D Health Belief Levels Among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate women’s health beliefs regarding vitamin D deficiency and to examine their associations with sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics.
METHODS: This study has a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of women aged 18 to 65 who presented to the family medicine outpatient clinic of Training and Research Hospital. The study was completed with 323 women. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews performed by one of the researchers in the study group between July and August 2025. The data collection instruments used in the study included the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form and the Vitamin D Health Belief Scale (VDHBS).
RESULTS: The participants’ mean total score on the VDHBS was 112.28±15.31 (min–max=31-155). Although variations were observed across subscales, the overall results indicated that participants’ general health belief levels were above average. When the relationship between the scale sub-dimensions and sociodemographic characteristics, diagnosis of Vitamin D deficiency, and lifestyle habits was examined, a significant relationship was found between marital status, education level, income level, employment status, family type, presence of chronic disease, and physical activity with some scale sub-items (p < 0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Women's health beliefs about vitamin D are influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and whether they have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. Primary healthcare professionals should plan their education and counseling programs with these parameters in mind.

Keywords: Women, vitamin D, health belief