| Abstract [eng] |
Vitamins and Food Supplements with Mineral Substances Supply and Usage Situation in Lithuania Overall aim of study: to investigate the vitamins and minerals dietary supplement (DS) usage and supply situation in Lithuania. Tasks: 1) to investigate the vitamins and minerals DS usage situation among Lithuanian male and female; 2) to investigate population knowledge about vitamins and minerals DS range in pharmacy sales.; 3) to investigate population knowledge about vitamins and minerals DS on health. Study object and methods: as a method of the study was the survey of community pharmacies. Respondents were anonymously answered questions in pharmacy or filling out the questionnaire online. Of a total 318 questionnaires as suitable for analysis were selected 311 (97,8%) (p<0,05). Data obtained from were analyzed using SPSS 13.0 and Excel software. Results: regardless of their sex 96% of respondents are taking vitamins and minerals DS. As the frequent use of vitamins and minerals DS male identified as taking every day (11%), the use of three (25%) and six (7%) months of the year. Then a female – each day use (10%) and for six months of the year (15%). The most frequently rationale of taking vitamins and minerals DS were “general body weakness (29%) and the strengthening of immune system (21,6%). The main motive of health which determinate vitamins and minerals DS is a general weakening of the body (40,74%). By respondents the insomnia and numbness/parties are identified as insignificant reasons of health. The mains reason of using vitamins and minerals DS are negligible problems (37,42%). A quarter of respondents using them by pharmacist recommendations (25,46%). Doctor’s advice is the third most important reason for using (18,1%). Different types of advertising (6,44%) has the least affection of using vitamins and minerals DS. In winter period vitamins and minerals DS is used by 49,0 of the surveyed population. The main external factors influencing the respondent’s decision to take vitamins and minerals DS is their intended use (32,34%), lower cost (27,55%) and ingredients (25,25%). Women takes vitamins and minerals DS for their intended purpose (35,42%), while men in their consistence and cost (29,79%) (p<0,05). More than a half of respondents (55%) believe that the vitamins and minerals DS are very expensive in Lithuania (p<0,05). Most vitamins and minerals DS are used among young (20-44 years) respondents (42,12%). There is no statistical identity between vitamins and minerals DS using urban and rural residents. The vast majority of the survey respondents who use vitamins and minerals DS are employed (71%) (p<0,05). 59% of respondents agreed that there is enough information about vitamins and minerals DS (p<0,05). About their offer in Lithuanian’s pharmacies are satisfied the absolute majority of the respondents (95%). Conclusions: 1) the percentage activity of vitamins and minerals DS among both sexes equally distributed (95%). Men (40%) use them twice as women (23%); 2) that vitamins and minerals DS offers in Lithuania is large enough and they can choose according prices claims 54% of respondents. For the majority of respondents costs in Lithuania are high (95%). As a consistence (25%) and the intended use (33%) of vitamins and minerals DS the determinant of consumption is the cost (28%); 3) the most commonly used vitamins and minerals DS are for the total body weakness (29,0%) as well as strengthening of the immune system (21,6%). People’s own perception and desire to strengthen your body (37%) are the most determination to take uses of vitamins and minerals DS. Nervousness, back pain, diminished vision, skin, mails, hair condition are the respondents aim to eliminate by using vitamins and minerals DS. |
