Mohamed A. KAMMON, Yousuf A. ALJETLAWI
Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases - 2026;16(2):82-87
Background: Vitamin D deficiency is estimated to affect 50% of the worldwide population of different civilizations and age groups. Aim: This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among residents of the Aljabal Algharbi region in Libya. Methods: A total of 657 laboratory test results were analyzed from patients in six cities: Gharian, Alasabaa, Alzintan, Jadu, Nalut, and Yafrin, covering the period from 2021 to 2024. Patient demographic data, including age and sex, were collected. All tests were conducted using the Elecsys Vitamin D III Total kit for quantifying serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels according to clinical records. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D level of <30 ng/mL, while levels between 30 and 100 ng/ml were considered sufficient. Results: Overall, 506 (77%) patients were found to be vitamin D-deficient. The prevalence was significantly higher in women (80%, 366/460) than in men (71%, 140/197) (p < 0.05). The highest deficiency rate (85%) was observed in individuals aged 31 to 50 years (p < 0.05), while the lowest was recorded in children aged 0 to 5 years. Multivariate analysis revealed that females (OR: 1.162, 95% CI: 1.015-1.330) and individuals aged 31 to 50 years (OR: 3.004, 95% CI: 1.197-7.537) were at significantly higher risk of deficiency. Conclusion: This study highlights the critical need for targeted public health interventions in the region. A coordinated effort involving health care providers, policymakers, and communities is essential to improve vitamin D status and mitigate associated health risks.
