title: "Test me and treat me"--attitudes to vitamin D deficiency and supplementation: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lay interest in vitamin D and the potential benefits of supplementation is considerable, but little information exists concerning lay knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards vitamin D to inform public health initiatives and professional guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative focus group study.
  
  
  METHODS
  58 adults capturing diversity in disease status, gender, age and ethnicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large general practice in east London.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many respondents lacked knowledge about vitamin D, including dietary sources and government recommendations. Most were positive about sun exposure, but confused by ambiguous health messages about risks and benefits of sunshine. Medicalised views of vitamin D were prominent, notably from those in favour of supplementation, who talked of "doses", "side effects" and "regular testing." Fortification of food with vitamin D was controversial, with opposing utilitarian (better overall for the majority) and libertarian (freedom to choose) views.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge about vitamin D was limited. Clearer messages are needed about risks and benefits of sun exposure. Testing and supplementation by health professionals, while potentially useful in some high-risk groups, have contributed to a medicalised view of vitamin D. Health policy should address the public's need for clear information on sources and effects of vitamin D, including risks and benefits of sun exposure, and take account of divergent views on fortification. Professional guidance is needed on testing and supplementation to counter inappropriate medicalisation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Siddharth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kotta
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Dev
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gadhvi
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jakeways
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Maryum
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ratna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sohanpal
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Homerton Row, London, UK.
authors.forename: Olufunke
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Famakin
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martineau
authors.affiliation: Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058006:General Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: PRIMARY CARE; PUBLIC HEALTH; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH