Title |
Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Health Consequences in Africa
|
---|---|
Published in |
Clinical & Translational Metabolism, April 2009
|
DOI | 10.1007/s12018-009-9038-6 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Ann Prentice, Inez Schoenmakers, Kerry S. Jones, Landing M. A. Jarjou, Gail R. Goldberg |
Abstract |
Africa is heterogeneous in latitude, geography, climate, food availability, religious and cultural practices, and skin pigmentation. It is expected, therefore, that prevalence of vitamin D deficiency varies widely, in line with influences on skin exposure to UVB sunshine. Furthermore, low calcium intakes and heavy burden of infectious disease common in many countries may increase vitamin D utilization and turnover. Studies of plasma 25OHD concentration indicate a spectrum from clinical deficiency to values at the high end of the physiological range; however, data are limited. Representative studies of status in different countries, using comparable analytical techniques, and of relationships between vitamin D status and risk of infectious and chronic diseases relevant to the African context are needed. Public health measures to secure vitamin D adequacy cannot encompass the whole continent and need to be developed locally. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Sweden | 1 | 25% |
Unknown | 3 | 75% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 3 | 75% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 25% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 1 | <1% |
United States | 1 | <1% |
Netherlands | 1 | <1% |
South Africa | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 155 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 23 | 14% |
Student > Postgraduate | 23 | 14% |
Student > Master | 19 | 12% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 16 | 10% |
Student > Bachelor | 12 | 8% |
Other | 32 | 20% |
Unknown | 34 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 56 | 35% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 21 | 13% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 16 | 10% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 10 | 6% |
Social Sciences | 3 | 2% |
Other | 12 | 8% |
Unknown | 41 | 26% |