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Vitamin D deficiency: a study of community beliefs among dark skinned and veiled people
Author(s) -
BRAND Caroline A.,
ABI Hodan Y.,
COUCH Dianne E.,
VINDIGNI Angela,
WARK John D.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-185x.2008.00323.x
Subject(s) - facilitator , medicine , vitamin d deficiency , metropolitan area , nursing , general partnership , family medicine , gerontology , vitamin d and neurology , psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , political science , pathology , law
Aim: Vitamin D is essential for musculoskeletal health. In addition to known high risk for older, housebound or institutionalized people, there are increasing reports of vitamin D deficiency in younger Australian populations, who are dark‐skinned and/or veiled. The aim of this study is to investigate socio‐cultural barriers and enablers to reducing risk of vitamin D deficiency among dark‐skinned and veiled community groups in a Melbourne metropolitan area. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken by an acute and community care partnership group based in the City of Melbourne and City of Moonee Valley areas, Victoria, Australia. Community‐dwelling people 18 years or more who were dark‐skinned or veiled participated. A trained facilitator used semistructured questions to explore awareness of vitamin D deficiency, knowledge about risks and barriers to risk management. Discussion was summarized and dominant themes extracted. Results: There were gender differences in awareness of risk. Men were unaware or considered themselves not to be at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Cultural issues influenced access to, and sourcing of, health information. In particular, community opinion leaders and use of local media such as radio were considered important avenues for knowledge transfer in addition to health care providers. Relocation from community settings in Africa to the built environment of Melbourne was reported to inhibit safe, comfortable and culturally appropriate access to sun exposure. Access to, and sustained use of vitamin D supplementation was limited by financial constraints. Conclusion: A comprehensive health promotion response that includes health provider and community partnerships is required to meet the complex needs of these communities.