There is limited information about the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the effects of treatment on immigrants. The effects of oral vitamin D intake and UVB treatment on vitamin D status in healthy Somali women living in Sweden were analysed.
Two studies were carried out; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, with oral drops of 800 IU and 1600 IU cholecalciferol and similar amounts of placebo given daily during 12 weeks and a single-blind, placebo-controlled study, using UVB (4·3-8·7 J/cm(2) ) or Woods lamp (placebo) on the upper body, or the face and hands.
One-hundred fourteen Somali women, mean age 34 years, latitude 0-10°N, living in Sweden >2 years, latitude 57°N, participated.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) was monitored before, every 6 weeks and at 3 months after treatment.
The majority of the women (n = 83, 73%) were vitamin D-deficient, S-25(OH)D