Abstract

Gihan Sleem*, Ruba Ben Azzan, Lara Alname, Sara Alshehri, Jawaher Alminee, Luluh Aloufi

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Vitamin D production requires adequate sunlight. Excessive UV exposure is the leading cause of skin cancers. Establishing an optimal balance between obtaining enough vitamin D and reducing the risk of cancer is a challenging task. This paper aims to examine public knowledge regarding the appropriate amount of sunlight exposure, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, and ways to prevent skin cancer in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out by administering an online survey to 230 individuals during January – May 2024. Demographics, knowledge of the benefits of vitamin D, as well as awareness about the dangers of too much sun exposure, were considered. A cumulative knowledge score was classified into poor (<60%), fair (60-75%), and good (>75%) categories. Results: Most respondents were women (67%) and well-educated (67.8% had a bachelor's degree or above). Participants were familiar with the role of sunlight in producing vitamin D (90.4%) and could identify clinical signs of vitamin D deficiency (87.8%). However, many participants had gaps in knowledge, as less than half (46.5%) knew that the elderly should be at high risk of deficiency, and a small share (52.6%) were aware that too much sun exposure increases skin cancer risk. In general, 61.3% showed fair knowledge and 20% showed good knowledge. There was a statistically significant gender disparity, with women having significantly higher knowledge scores than men (p=0.023). Conclusion: While there is adequate foundational knowledge regarding vitamin D among a highly educated population, there is substantial ignorance related to skin cancer and risk groups, especially men.