Urban Rural Differences in Vitamin D Status in Erbil Governorate: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study investigates the differences in vitamin D status between urban and rural populations in the Erbil Governorate, involving 445 participants (316 urban, 129 rural). The findings reveal that rural residents have significantly higher vitamin D levels than urban residents, with mean levels of 21.89 ng/mL and 20.54 ng/mL, respectively. Despite high awareness of vitamin D's importance, actual preventive actions like sun exposure and dietary improvements are limited. The study highlights a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, with 82% of participants having low levels. The results underscore the need for tailored public health initiatives to promote behavior change and improve vitamin D status.