Positive impact on vitamin D related lifestyle of medical advice in pregnant Somali-born women and new mothers: a mixed method study in Swedish primary care

P Kalliokoski, M Widarsson, N Rodhe, M Löfvander, P Kalliokoski, M Widarsson, N Rodhe, M Löfvander

Abstract

Background: A previous study showed that pregnant women/new mothers especially Somali-born and some Swedish-born had extremely low vitamin D levels and poor physical performance. Our study aimed to examine vitamin D related lifestyle, attitudes and behaviour before and after brief information about vitamin D, with special long-term focus on Somali-born women.

Methods: A cohort of 91 pregnant women/new mothers having serum hydroxyvitamin D (S-25-OHD) ≤ 50 nmol/L (n = 51 Somali-born with one third < 10 nmol/L of S-25-OHD) in primary health care in Sweden was targeted for intervention. Brief individual oral and visual information on vitamin D was given by doctors at baseline and after four and ten months. Questionnaires with ordinal scales on vitamin D related lifestyle of food, clothing, and outdoor activities were distributed on all occasions. Focus-group interviews with 15 women from the target-group were performed after two years. A Somali interpreter was available.

Results: Veiled clothing, indoor living, and a low intake of milk, cheese, and fatty fish were common in the target group. Consumption pattern had increased significantly among the Somali-born women at the four-month follow-up but declined to non-significant levels at the ten-month follow-up. The focus-group interviews showed improved understanding of vitamin D deficiency, symptoms and attitudes, but varying applied behaviours related to sun exposure. Sun exposure for the children and increased fish consumption was the most evident positive results.

Conclusions: Vitamin D related lifestyle, attitudes and behaviour improved in a Somali-born group of pregnant women/new mothers with severe vitamin D deficiency. The preventive measures suggested in our study may have impact on public health in relation to bone and muscle strength and immunity especially in vitamin D deficiency risk groups.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02922803 . Date of registration: 28 September 2016.

Keywords: Lifestyle; Mixed method; Prevention; Primary care; Public health; Somalia; Transcultural consultation; Vitamin D; Women.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart showing participating women born in Somalia and Sweden.

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