Internal Medicine Journal
Volume 33, Issue 1-2, 2003, Pages 47-51

Vitamin D deficiency is common and unrecognized among recently arrived adult immigrants from The Horn of Africa (Article)

Skull S.A.* , Ngeow J.Y.Y. , Biggs B.A. , Street A. , Ebeling P.R.
  • a Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia
  • b [Affiliation not available]
  • c Victorian Infect. Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • d Victorian Infect. Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
  • e Dept. of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia

Abstract

The prevalence of and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency were examined for recent adult immigrants from East Africa living in Melbourne. Demographic data were collected via a face-to-face questionnaire and risk factors predicting deficiency were examined. Suboptimal levels <25 nmol/L were found in 61 patients (53%; 74% of women; 20% of men). Lower levels were more likely in: (i) patients with a longer duration of residence in Australia, (ii) patients who were mostly covered when outdoors and (iii) women. Routine assessment for vitamin D deficiency should be considered for male and female immigrants from East Africa.

Author Keywords

Refugees Vitamin D deficiency Africa

Index Keywords

immigrant refugee Australia demography vitamin blood level human middle aged Vitamin D clothing priority journal Aged screening Cross-Sectional Studies Humans Adolescent male female risk factor Africa questionnaire prevalence vitamin D deficiency Article major clinical study adult gender Emigration and Immigration Africa, Eastern
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0037286672&doi=10.1046%2fj.1445-5994.2003.00344.x&partnerID=40&md5=40e765f85ff000df0dac9b24aa60d171
DOI: 10.1046/j.1445-5994.2003.00344.x
ISSN: 14440903
Cited by: 54
Original Language: English