Assessing and contrasting the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to dietary supplements and micronutrients in medical students and interns of a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Swaminathan Arjun , E Vijayakumar , P Nikhithaa 
Published: March 2023

Background: In recent times, dietary supplements have started playing a very critical role in overcoming the micronutrient deficiencies in a person. The health and well-being of medical practitioners itself are also important for them to efficiently carry out their practice. Moreover, their knowledge, attitude and practices influence their prescribing and treating tendencies. This study will demonstrate how the science of dietary supplements has advanced in relation to a number of nutrients, such as Vitamin A, iron, calcium, and folic acid. The health-care practitioners knowledge, attitude, and practices influence their prescribing and treating tendencies.

Aims and Objectives: This study is done to assess and contrast the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Related to Dietary Supplements and Micronutrients in Medical Students and Interns of a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study conducted at a ESIC Medical College, KK Nagar, Chennai, which included 2nd year students and interns. A questionnaire containing questions that test theoretical knowledge of micronutrients, and assesses personal supplementation habits was prepared. All students within the sample were mailed the questionnaire and consent was sought electronically. Those not willing to give consent were excluded from the study. The responses of the questionnaire were linked to an Excel sheet and analyzed using Microsoft Access. During this process, utmost confidentiality of the information was maintained.

Results: A total of 140 participants responded, with 82 of them undergoing phase 2 medical training and 58 of them undergoing internship. On the dietary front, 12.2% of 2nd year students as compared to 15.5% of CRMI students were vegetarian. About 34.1% of 2nd year students and 41.4% of CRMIs consumed nutrient supplements. About 14.7% of 2nd years and 10.3% of CRMIs consumed supplements daily. About 67.8% of 2nd year students and 54.1% of interns consumed dietary supplements after medical advice. Concerningly, 15.5% of all medical interns and 9.8% of all 2nd-year students self-prescribed health supplements. Most interns (54.1%) who consumed supplements did so to maintain adequate nutrition. Concerningly 42.8% of 2nd year students and 33.3% of interns consumed supplements to maintain good health. Vitamins either singly, or as multivitamin tablets were the most consumed supplements amongst both sections of the study group. Concerningly 48.8% of 2nd year students and 58.6% of interns felt that supplements are generally harmless; and around a third of both groups felt that health personnel should promote supplement use.

Conclusion: Knowledge regarding micronutrient usage among medical students is good; however, there is scope for improvement, particularly in the area of micronutrient-related prevalent diseases. Both 2nd year students and CRMIs consumed nutrient supplements in lesser quantity and frequency than other health science student groups; and more than half of them did so after medical advice. Good health and nutrition were the main reasons for supplement consumption. Students and interns were quite favorable toward patient consumption of nutrient supplements. The teaching-learning process needs to address this.