Knowledge and perception of vitamin D in Bengali women

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A qualitative study to explore the knowledge and perceptions of vitamin D deficiency in women of Bengali origin living in the UK

• IRAS ID

  309401

• Contact name

  Sofia Llahana

• Contact email

  sofia.llahana@city.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  City, University of London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide and its prevention and the consequent improvement in nutritional status is a global public health priority. The UK is no different and within the UK, South Asians are known to have much lower vitamin D levels than the white population. Within the South Asian population, women have been shown to be especially at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to skin type and cultural practices. The South Asian population includes people of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, however, much of the research on South Asian populations fails to take in to account the significant differences within the South Asian population. Within the research on Vitamin D deficiency, there is limited research involving women of Bengali origin and vitamin D.
  This study aims to provide an in depth exploration and understanding of the knowledge and perceptions of vitamin D deficiency in women of Bengali origin. Potential participants will be identified from searches of currently registered patients from a GP surgery in London, where the researcher works. Eligible patients are patients identified as aged between 18-65 of Bengali origin, exclusion criteria are patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding or with medical conditions that may affect the absorption or activation of vitamin D. Approximately 10-15 patients will be interviewed over the phone using semi-structured interviews based on the COM-B framework by the researcher and a Bengali speaker if required, at the GP surgery. It is anticipated the interviews with last 45-60 minutes in English, 90-100 minutes if translation services are used. Data will be analyzed using enviro software and written anonymously with a view to publication.
  

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/YH/0063

• Date of REC Opinion

  2 Mar 2022

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion