Abstract
Background: The use of dietary supplements (DS) has risen markedly among university students globally, yet knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) vary considerably across disciplines. No KAP-focused study on DS had previously been conducted in the Islamabad–Rawalpindi corridor of Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 406 university students (114 health sciences; 292 non-health sciences) across six universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Data were collected via a validated 24-item self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, DS source of information, and KAP domains (six knowledge items, four attitude items, five practice items). Multivariate logistic regression and ANOVA were used for analysis via SPSS 25.0.
Results: Multivitamins were the most commonly used DS (health sciences: 50.0%; non-health sciences: 55.1%). Health sciences students demonstrated significantly superior knowledge (e.g., 86.8% vs. 52.1% knew what DS are; 89.5% vs. 36.0% knew reasons for use), safer practices (64.9% vs. 7.2% followed prescriber guidance), and more evidence-informed attitudes. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed significant associations between field of study and gender (p = 0.004), BMI (p = 0.002), and source of DS information (p = 0.024). ANOVA indicated statistically significant inter-group differences across all three KAP domains (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Significant KAP disparities exist between health and non-health sciences students in Pakistan regarding dietary supplements. Integration of DS literacy into general university curricula, alongside public health campaigns emphasising supplement safety and evidence-based use, is urgently recommended