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A health education campaign to prevent osteomalacia in Asian women in Glasgow: 1984–86
Author(s) -
Henderson J. B.,
Glekin B. M.,
McIntosh W. B.,
Dunnigan M. G.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-277x.1989.tb00027.x
Subject(s) - medicine , osteomalacia , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin , pediatrics , welfare , environmental health , family medicine , gerontology , political science , law
Vitamin D deficiency is common in Asian women in Britain. Self‐supplementation with vitamin D provides effective prophylaxis. Between 1984‐86 a Health Education campaign promoted vitamin D supplementation by Asian women in Glasgow. Vitamin D supplements were provided at cost‐price in Health Board clinics and a co‐ordinator and four Asian link‐workers promoted the aims of the campaign. Despite the campaign few Asian women presently purchase vitamin D supplements. Serum 25‐OHD and calcium concentrations were significantly lower in a post‐campaing survey (1986) of Asian women than in a pre‐campaign survey (1982‐83). In contrast, the majority of Asian children in the city receive a vitamin D supplement which their mothers perceive as important for their welfare. The failure of the present campaign suggests that early detection and treatment of symptomatic osteomalacia constitutes the only means of reducing the morbidity caused by this disease.