Prevalence and Determinants of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Pregnant Women Attending a Private Clinic in Gharyan, Western Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant women in North Africa despite abundant sunshine, but data from western Libya are limited. This study assessed the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors among pregnant women attending a private clinic in Gharyan, western Libya. This cross-sectional study included 70 pregnant women attending antenatal care at the clinic between September and October 2026. A structured questionnaire collected sociodemographic, obstetric, anthropometric, sun exposure, supplement, and dietary data. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured, and deficiency was defined as <20 ng/mL. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with deficiency. The median age was 32.5 years (IQR 27.0–38.0). Deficiency was found in 39 of 70 women (55.7%; 95% CI 44.1–66.8%), and 81.4% had deficient or insufficient status. In multivariable analysis, an interpregnancy interval of <12 months was associated with higher odds of deficiency (adjusted OR 7.21; 95% CI 1.12–46.62; p = 0.038), whereas reported sun exposure <3 days/week was associated with lower odds (adjusted OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.08–0.73; p = 0.012). Supplement use, dairy intake, and trimester were not significantly associated with deficiency. More than half of the pregnant women in this clinic-based sample were vitamin D deficient. A short interpregnancy interval was a potential determinant, although the estimate was imprecise, and the inverse association with reported sun exposure probably reflected limitations of self-reported exposure. Larger multicentre prospective studies with objective exposure measures are needed.