Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue affecting many countries, especially those in temperate climates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in females categorised by age and race. Methods: The stu...

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Main Authors: Yeshnee Naidoo, Jagidesa Moodley, Lorna Madurai, Thajasvarie Naicker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2019-07-01
Series:South African Family Practice
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Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4977
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author Yeshnee Naidoo
Jagidesa Moodley
Lorna Madurai
Thajasvarie Naicker
author_facet Yeshnee Naidoo
Jagidesa Moodley
Lorna Madurai
Thajasvarie Naicker
author_sort Yeshnee Naidoo
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue affecting many countries, especially those in temperate climates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in females categorised by age and race. Methods: The study was performed between January 2015 and January 2016. This study consisted of 1 976 females stratified by age into 18, reproductive age (18–45) and 45 years. Demographic variables were recorded and serum 25(OH)D levels measured by chemiluminescent emission. Results: The predictors of lower 25(OH)D levels included age and race, (p 0.0001 for each predictor). Approximately 46% of females had 20 ng/ml 25(OH)D level, the majority of whom were Indian (35%). The 25(OH)D level varied by race (White 27.33 ng/ml; Black 23.43 ng/ml and Indian 15.05 ng/ml; p 0.0001). In the 18-year age category, White and Black women had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels when compared with Indian women (38.25 ng/ml vs. 37.51 ng/ml vs. 13.68 ng/ml respectively; p 0.0001). Similarly, in the reproductive age category (18–45 years); White (27.63 ng/ml) and Black (20.93 ng/ml) women had a significantly higher 25(OH)D level compared with Indian (13.15 ng/ml) women (p 0.0001). Moreover, similar data were observed within the 45-year age category, where the White and Black women had higher 25(OH)D levels compared with Indian women (25.46 ng/ml vs. 22.73 ng/ml vs. 17.04 ng/ml; p 0.0001) respectively. Irrespective of age category, severe vitamin D deficiency was highest amongst Indian females. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant difference in 25(OH)D concentration in healthy females living in Durban, with Indians presenting with the highest vitamin D deficiency. These findings clearly highlight the need for a policy on vitamin D supplementation and/or fortification of food. Further studies are under way to assess the genetic predisposition of women to vitamin D deficiency.
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issn 2078-6190
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spelling doaj-art-e6150a68f7844da1ac0726613857767f2025-08-20T04:03:13ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042019-07-0161310.4102/safp.v61i3.49773953Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South AfricaYeshnee Naidoo0Jagidesa Moodley1Lorna Madurai2Thajasvarie Naicker3University of KwaZulu-NatalUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalGlobal Clinical and Virology LaboratoryUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalObjective: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue affecting many countries, especially those in temperate climates. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in females categorised by age and race. Methods: The study was performed between January 2015 and January 2016. This study consisted of 1 976 females stratified by age into 18, reproductive age (18–45) and 45 years. Demographic variables were recorded and serum 25(OH)D levels measured by chemiluminescent emission. Results: The predictors of lower 25(OH)D levels included age and race, (p 0.0001 for each predictor). Approximately 46% of females had 20 ng/ml 25(OH)D level, the majority of whom were Indian (35%). The 25(OH)D level varied by race (White 27.33 ng/ml; Black 23.43 ng/ml and Indian 15.05 ng/ml; p 0.0001). In the 18-year age category, White and Black women had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels when compared with Indian women (38.25 ng/ml vs. 37.51 ng/ml vs. 13.68 ng/ml respectively; p 0.0001). Similarly, in the reproductive age category (18–45 years); White (27.63 ng/ml) and Black (20.93 ng/ml) women had a significantly higher 25(OH)D level compared with Indian (13.15 ng/ml) women (p 0.0001). Moreover, similar data were observed within the 45-year age category, where the White and Black women had higher 25(OH)D levels compared with Indian women (25.46 ng/ml vs. 22.73 ng/ml vs. 17.04 ng/ml; p 0.0001) respectively. Irrespective of age category, severe vitamin D deficiency was highest amongst Indian females. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant difference in 25(OH)D concentration in healthy females living in Durban, with Indians presenting with the highest vitamin D deficiency. These findings clearly highlight the need for a policy on vitamin D supplementation and/or fortification of food. Further studies are under way to assess the genetic predisposition of women to vitamin D deficiency.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4977vitamin dvitamin d deficiencyraceage
spellingShingle Yeshnee Naidoo
Jagidesa Moodley
Lorna Madurai
Thajasvarie Naicker
Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
South African Family Practice
vitamin d
vitamin d deficiency
race
age
title Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
title_full Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
title_fullStr Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
title_short Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in a multiracial female population in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa
title_sort prevalence of vitamin d deficiency in a multiracial female population in kwazulu natal province south africa
topic vitamin d
vitamin d deficiency
race
age
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/4977
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