Vitamin D deficiency is common and unrecognized among recently arrived adult immigrants from The Horn of Africa.
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.
Skull
S A
SA
Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. saskull@unimelb.edu.au
Ngeow
J Y Y
JY
Biggs
B A
BA
Street
A
A
Ebeling
P R
PR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000351:Africa, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000208:ethnology*