The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background Vitamin D supplementation is essential for health, yet its full benefits and optimal use remain incompletely understood, particularly given the global prevalence of deficiency, which affects around 50% of the population, with higher rates in high-latitude regions and among indivi...
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01046-w |
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| author | Tariku Derese Yibekal Manaye Bereket Damtew Muluken Yigezu Tewodros Getnet Abdu Omer |
| author_facet | Tariku Derese Yibekal Manaye Bereket Damtew Muluken Yigezu Tewodros Getnet Abdu Omer |
| author_sort | Tariku Derese |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Vitamin D supplementation is essential for health, yet its full benefits and optimal use remain incompletely understood, particularly given the global prevalence of deficiency, which affects around 50% of the population, with higher rates in high-latitude regions and among individuals with darker skin. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa, addressing gaps in regional and demographic-specific research. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar, limited to English-language publications without date restrictions. Two independent reviewers evaluated study eligibility, data quality, and risk of bias. The findings were reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, employing narrative synthesis and meta-analyses to compare the effects of vitamin D supplementation against control groups. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using Egger’s regression and Q statistics. Results The review included 14 randomized controlled trials from 9 African countries, involving 11,259 participants. Half of the studies reported health benefits associated with vitamin D supplementation. Meta-analysis of seven studies demonstrated significant increases in serum vitamin D levels (odds ratio = 6.78, p < 0.001) and reduced viral load in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (odds ratio = 1.63, p = 0.033). However, supplementation did not significantly affect weight gain (odds ratio = 1.1, p = 0.18) or mortality rates in patients with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (odds ratio = 0.971, p = 0.638). Improvements in disease symptoms and biochemical markers were observed (odds ratio = 2.28, p = 0.028), with no significant heterogeneity or publication bias. Subgroup analysis was constrained by the diversity of diseases and insufficient studies. Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation showed significant benefits in half of the studies, elevating serum levels and reducing viral load in HIV patients. However, it did not affect weight gain or mortality in TB and HIV patients. While symptom and biomarker improvements were noted, further research is needed to explore subgroup effects and optimize strategies. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42024620729. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-96efe0fa8e574bec92bbe1fcbdf84d26 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-96efe0fa8e574bec92bbe1fcbdf84d262025-08-20T04:01:25ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-07-0111111310.1186/s40795-025-01046-wThe health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysisTariku Derese0Yibekal Manaye1Bereket Damtew2Muluken Yigezu3Tewodros Getnet4Abdu Omer5College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa UniversityCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa UniversityAbstract Background Vitamin D supplementation is essential for health, yet its full benefits and optimal use remain incompletely understood, particularly given the global prevalence of deficiency, which affects around 50% of the population, with higher rates in high-latitude regions and among individuals with darker skin. This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa, addressing gaps in regional and demographic-specific research. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Epistemonikos, and Google Scholar, limited to English-language publications without date restrictions. Two independent reviewers evaluated study eligibility, data quality, and risk of bias. The findings were reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, employing narrative synthesis and meta-analyses to compare the effects of vitamin D supplementation against control groups. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using Egger’s regression and Q statistics. Results The review included 14 randomized controlled trials from 9 African countries, involving 11,259 participants. Half of the studies reported health benefits associated with vitamin D supplementation. Meta-analysis of seven studies demonstrated significant increases in serum vitamin D levels (odds ratio = 6.78, p < 0.001) and reduced viral load in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (odds ratio = 1.63, p = 0.033). However, supplementation did not significantly affect weight gain (odds ratio = 1.1, p = 0.18) or mortality rates in patients with tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (odds ratio = 0.971, p = 0.638). Improvements in disease symptoms and biochemical markers were observed (odds ratio = 2.28, p = 0.028), with no significant heterogeneity or publication bias. Subgroup analysis was constrained by the diversity of diseases and insufficient studies. Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation showed significant benefits in half of the studies, elevating serum levels and reducing viral load in HIV patients. However, it did not affect weight gain or mortality in TB and HIV patients. While symptom and biomarker improvements were noted, further research is needed to explore subgroup effects and optimize strategies. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42024620729.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01046-wVitamin DSupplementationHealth outcomesSystematic reviewAfrica |
| spellingShingle | Tariku Derese Yibekal Manaye Bereket Damtew Muluken Yigezu Tewodros Getnet Abdu Omer The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Nutrition Vitamin D Supplementation Health outcomes Systematic review Africa |
| title | The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | The health outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | health outcomes of vitamin d supplementation in africa a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Vitamin D Supplementation Health outcomes Systematic review Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01046-w |
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