ปัจจัยที่มีความสัมพันธ์กับระดับซีรั่ม 25-hydroxyvitamin D ในสตรีมุสลิมจังหวัดนราธิวาส: การวิจัยเชิงวิเคราะห์แบบภาคตัดขวาง

Davis Muhammaddawood WamaeWamae; Mart Maiprasert

Authors

Davis Muhammaddawood WamaeWamae College of Integrative Medicine, Dhurakij Pundit University
Mart Maiprasert College of Integrative Medicine, Dhurakij Pundit University

Keywords:

Vitamin D, Headscarf, Preventive Medicine, Narathiwat

Abstract

Background and Objectives This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels between Muslim women who wear a headscarf and those who do not in Narathiwat Province, Thailand, while analyzing factors associated with vitamin D levels after controlling for physiological confounders.

Methods A total of 100 female participants were equally divided into two groups: headscarf-wearing (n=50) and non-headscarf-wearing (n=50). Serum vitamin D levels were measured as total serum 25(OH)D using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) at an ISO 15189:2012-certified laboratory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression analysis.

Results The mean vitamin D level in the headscarf group (18.92 ± 7.34 ng/mL) was significantly lower than that in the non-headscarf group (25.22 ± 8.77 ng/mL) (p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.776). Multiple linear regression revealed that headscarf wearing was the only statistically significant predictor of vitamin D levels (B = -6.05, 95% CI: -9.16 to -2.95, p < 0.001), after adjusting for age, BMI, and eGFR (R² = 0.231). Furthermore, logistic regression showed that headscarf-wearing women had 7.16 times higher odds of vitamin D deficiency (95 % CI: 2.72 –18.90, p < 0.001). None of the headscarf-wearing participants achieved the optimal vitamin D level (≥ 40 ng/mL)

Conclusion and Recommendation The findings of this study indicated that Headscarf wearing is a significant independent predictor of lower serum vitamin D levels. Clothing-related physical barriers reduce UVB-exposed skin surface area, substantially limiting cutaneous vitamin D synthesis. These findings support targeted vitamin D screening and supplementation strategies for this high-risk population, while respecting their cultural and religious practices. Future studies should incorporate quantitative sun exposure assessment, dietary vitamin D intake, and genetic polymorphisms to more comprehensively explain the remaining variance.

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