title: Comparison of infant vitamin D supplement use among Canadian-born, immigrant, and refugee mothers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compares knowledge and practice of infant vitamin D supplementation among immigrant, refugee, and Canadian-born mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group discussions with 94 mothers of children aged 0 to 3 years recruited from early childhood centers and a refugee health clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both immigrant and Canadian-born mothers indicated good knowledge and use of infant vitamin D supplementation. In contrast, Canadian government-assisted refugees were less likely to supplement with vitamin D. The main source of information about vitamin D was public health prenatal classes. Many mothers reported inconsistent guidance from health care providers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exclusively breastfed infants of refugees may be more at risk of vitamin D deficiency. All mothers require clear recommendations, both in clinical and public health settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mothers, both new Canadian and Canadian-born, require clear and consistent messaging from health professionals. Refugee mothers, however, require more educational support to promote infant vitamin D supplementation.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada moffatcs@mcmaster.ca.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moffat
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sellen
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.affiliation: International Life Sciences Institute South East Asia Regions (ILSI SEA), Singapore.
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amarra
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: immigrants; infant supplementation; refugees; vitamin D