Perception of Rickets Disease Among Parents in Al-Baha Province, Saudi Arabia

Figures & data

Table 1 Rickets Knowledge Score

No	Question	Score
1	What are the clinical manifestations of rickets?
	1. Seizures and convulsions	*
	2. Respiratory tract infections
	3. Muscle pain and weakness
	4. Delayed growth, movement, and teething	*
	5. I do not know
2	What are the causes of rickets disease in children?
	6. Inadequate milk intake	*
	7. Early walking
	8. Hereditary causes	*
	9. Inadequate exposure to sunlight	*
	10. I do not know
3	What are the risk factors of rickets?
	11. Exclusive breast feeding	*
	12. Preterm baby	*
	13. Dark skin	*
	14. Obesity, diabetes, or drugs
	15. I do not know
4	What are the complications of rickets?
	● Teeth deformities	*
	● Repeated chest infections	*
	● Skin deformities
	● Spinal vertebrae deformities	*
	● I do not know
5	Should breast feeding be stopped once rickets is diagnosed?
	● Yes	*
	● No
	● I do not know
6	Is it useful to add fortified milk to the diet in rickets cases?
	● Yes	*
	● No
	● I do not know
7	What are the preventive measures for rickets?
	● Enough exposure to sunlight	*
	● Eating food rich in vitamin D	*
	● Teaching children to walk at a suitable age
	● I do not know
8	When is a suitable time for sunlight exposure?
	● At sunrise and sunset	*
	● 9–11 am
	● 3–4 pm
	● Afternoon
	● I do not know
9	How much time is suitable for sunlight exposure?
	● 10 to 15 minutes	*
	● 30 to 60 minutes
	● More than one hour
	● I do not know
9	Total	17

Note: *An asterisk denotes a viable option.

Table 2 Socio-Demographic Data of the Study Group (Number = 692)

Variable	Number (Percentage)
Age (years)
1. Below 18 years.	36 (5%)
2. 18–24 years old.	81 (12%)
3. 25–40 years old.	306 (44%)
4. More than 40 years old.	269 (39%)
Gender
5. Male	264 (38%)
6. Female	428 (62%)
Marital status
7. Single	139 (20%)
8. Married	524 (76%)
9. Widowed	9 (1%)
10. Divorced	20 (3%)
Educational level
11. Basic education	169 (24%)
12. High school education	420 (61%)
13. Postgraduate (diploma, master’s, PhD)	103 (15%)

Table 3 Experience and Awareness of the Studied Group with Rickets (Number = 692)

Question	Number (Percentage)
Do you have a child suffering from rickets?
1. Yes	34 (5%)
2. No	656 (95%)
Have you heard about rickets disease in children?
3. Yes	691 (99%)
4. No	1 (1%)
If yes, what are your sources of information?
5. Mass media (television, newspapers)	297 (43%)
6. Social media	191 (27%)
7. Health-education program	181 (25%)
8. Scientific research	100 (14%)
9. Doctors or health personnel	172 (24%)

Table 4 Participants’ Responses to Clinical Picture, Cause, and Risk Factor Questions (Number = 692)

Question	Number (Percentage)
What are the clinical manifestations of rickets?
1. Seizures and convulsions	7 (1%)
2. Respiratory tract infections	6 (1%)
3. Muscle pain and weakness	165 (24%)
4. Delayed growth, movement, and teething	445 (64%)
5. I do not know	128 (18%)
What are the causes of rickets disease in children?
6. Inadequate milk intake.	431 (62%)
7. Early walking	7 (1%)
8. Hereditary causes	144 (21%)
9. Inadequate exposure to sunlight	155 (22%)
10. I do not know	106 (15%)
What are the risk factors of rickets?
11. Exclusive breast feeding	397 (57%)
12. Preterm baby	192 (27%)
13. Dark skin	81 (12%)
14. Obesity, diabetes, or drugs	90 (13%)
15. I do not know	170 (24%)

Table 5 Participants’ Responses to Complications and Breast-Feeding Questions (Number = 692)

Questions	Number (Percentage)
What are the complications of rickets?
● Teeth deformities	168 (24%)
● Repeated chest infections	51 (7%)
● Skin deformities	40 (6%)
● Spinal vertebrae deformities	487 (70%)
● I do not know	192 (28%)
Should breast feeding be stopped once rickets is diagnosed?
● Yes	26 (4%)
● No	383 (55%)
● I do not know	283 (41%)
Is it useful to add fortified milk to the diet in rickets cases?
● Yes	428 (62%)
● No	51 (7%)
● I do not know	213 (31%)

Table 6 Participants’ Responses to Rickets Prevention Questions (Number = 692)

Question	Number (Percentage)
What are the preventive measures for rickets?
● Enough exposure to sunlight	531 (77%)
● Eating food rich in vitamin D	436 (63%)
● Teaching children to walk at a suitable age	117 (17%)
● I do not know	96 (14%)
When is a suitable time for sunlight exposure?
● At sunrise and sunset	320 (46%)
● 9–11 am	252 (36%)
● 3–4 pm	78 (12%)
● Afternoon	14 (2%)
● I do not know	28 (4%)
How much time is suitable for sunlight exposure?
● 10 to 15 minutes	462 (67%)
● 30 to 60 minutes	187 (27%)
● More than one hour	15 (2%)
● I do not know	28 (4%)