الفهرس 
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Abstract
Summary
Pregnancy is a high-risk period for vitamin D deficiency, which is defined as a serum 25(OH) D level below 20 ng/ml. There is a direct relationship between vitamin D deficiency and maternal and foetal complications, such as increasing the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth and hypocalcemia crisis in the mother. As poor skeletal development, increase the risk birth of a small child for gestational age (SGA). Also it is related to an inadequate immune system, wheezing, eczema and respiratory infections in infants (Abed, Ali & Mahdi, 2022).
Lack of knowledge regarding importance of vitamin D and its sources in several countries is leading to potential risk factors. Complications of vitamin D deficiency are preventable during antenatal period if the mother is enriched with vitamin D knowledge along with antenatal nutritional education program. Community health and gynecological nurses are having an essential function in generating meaningful understanding of vitamin D deficiency (Abdel Nabi et al., 2020).
Nursing plays a significant role in the prevention and detection of vitamin D deficiency as well as in the management of this condition, The skills of critical thinking, effective communication and interacting with other members of the interdisciplinary team enable nurses to understand the needs of the pregnant women and the goals of vitamin D deficiency management (Harris, 2020).
Aim of the study:
This study aimed to
Assess pregnant women’s perception regarding vitamin D deficiency in Tanta university hospital.
Through the following:-
1. Assess pregnant women’s knowledge regarding vitamin D deficiency.
2. Assess pregnant women’s attitude regarding vitamin D deficiency.
Research Questions:
1. What are the pregnant women’s knowledge regarding vitamin D deficiency?
2. What are the pregnant women’s attitude regarding vitamin D deficiency?
Subjects and Methods:
Research design:
A quantitative descriptive design was used in this study.
• Setting:
This study conducted in the antenatal outpatient clinic at Tanta University Hospital (Gharbia Governorate) because of the increase flow rate of pregnant women’s on antenatal outpatient clinic due to present of rural and urban pregnant women from the around district.
Type of sample: Simple random sample was used in this study.
• Sampling size and criteria:
Sample size it was calculated based on the census of previous year flow record of the pregnant women at Tanta University Hospital attended the outpatient clinics. The last annual report was 1000 women using the sample equation 285 women was the representative sample.
Sample criteria:
• Inclusion criteria:
- Pregnant women age group from ≤ 25 years to more than ≥ 35 years.
- Pregnant women in different pregnancy trimester.
Sampling technique:
Pregnant woman’s who attended at the antenatal outpatient clinic during Sundays &Tuesdays every week were the target group. Using the simple random technique (each other women). The study sample was collected till it reached the determined size.
-The study sample size was 285 pregnant women.
Tools for data collection:
Tool (1): A structured interviewing questionnaire assessment sheet (Appendix I): It consists of five parts:
Part one: Designed to assess general-characteristics of pregnant women which include age, education, occupation, residence, and income.
Part two: Designed to assess past medical history such as suffering from any diseases or health problems before pregnancy, if yes, what are these diseases and did you take any medication related to this problems.
Part three: Designed to assess previous and current pregnancy history such as number of pregnancy, the current pregnancy period, suffering from any health problems during current pregnancy.
Part four: Designed to assess healthy habits during pregnancy such as Eat foods that contain vitamin D and calcium during pregnancy.
Part five: It was designed to assess pregnant women’s knowledge regarding vitamin D deficiency which includes definition and source of vitamin D, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complication, management of vitamin D deficiency.
Tool (2): Likert attitude scale (Appendix II):
It was used to assess pregnant women’s attitude regarding vitamin D deficiency.
Results:
The important findings that were obtained from the study can be summarized as follows:
Regarding total knowledge score of the pregnant women regarding vitamin D deficiency, it was found that, 35. 1% of pregnant women had poor knowledge regarding to vitamin D deficiency, while 31. 2% of them had average knowledge regarding to vitamin D deficiency.
Regarding total attitudes of the pregnant women regarding vitamin D deficiency, it was found that, 38. 6% of pregnant women had neutral attitudes towards vitamin D deficiency, while 29. 8%of them had positive attitudes towards vitamin D deficiency.
Additionally there was high statistical significant relation between total knowledge and total attitude.
Conclusion:
In the light of the current study findings, it can be concluded that,
Slightly more than one third of pregnant women had poor knowledge regarding vitamin D deficiency. Also less than two fifths of pregnant women had neutral attitudes towards vitamin D deficiency. Additionally, there was a high statistical significant relation between total knowledge and total attitude of pregnant women regarding vitamin D deficiency. Research questions were answered.
Recommendations:
Based on the current study finding, the following recommendations were suggested:
Vitamin D deficiency prevention should be included in the routine antenatal counseling in MCH centers to improve their knowledge and prevent maternal and fetal complications.
Booklets, posters & brochures should be available and distributed in all MCH and health centers to all women about vitamin D deficiency.
Further researches
Effect of educational program on pregnant women regarding vitamin D deficiency and its importance.