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Vitamin D status of women in Sidama southern Ethiopia
Author(s) -
GEgziabher Tafere,
Bogale Alemtsehay,
Stoecker Barbara J,
Hambidge K Michael
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.779.7
The purpose of this study was to assess 25‐OH vitamin D concentrations of rural women in southern Ethiopia living at 7 o 3′ N. latitude. A convenience sample of 182 non‐pregnant women living in three adjacent rural communities in southern Ethiopia was included in the study. Survey based cross‐sectional research design was employed to acquire demographic, socioeconomic and anthropometric data. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 30.8 (7.8) years. Most of the women (92.1%) were married. Household size was 6.1(2.4); however, in 9.1% of the households there were 10–12 people. Sixty three percent of the participants had no formal education. Height and weight were 157.3 (6.0) cm and 50 (6.5) kg respectively. Based on their BMI, 2.5% of the participants were severely thin (BMI < 16), 3% were moderately thin (BMI between 16 and 16.9), and 19.3% had BMI between 17.0 and 18.5. The 25‐OH vitamin D analysis indicated that 3.3% were sufficient ( >75 nmol/L), 19.8% were insufficient ( 50–75 nmol/L) and 76.9% had vitamin D levels <50 nmol/L. Regardless of their proximity to the equator, these findings indicate that the majority of women in the study area were vitamin D insufficient and appropriate educational intervention is urgently required. [Supported by Hawassa University, Oklahoma State University, and NIHR01HD053053 (NICHD & Fogarty International Center)].