Getting underneath the skin: A community engagement event for optimal vitamin D status in an ‘easily overlooked’ group

Abstract

Background: Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) is recognized asimportant for improved quality in health service provision and research. Vitamin D is one area where PPIE has potential to benefit public health initiatives, particularly for women and children with increased skin pigmentation (ie at high risk of deficiency) who are easily overlooked.Objective: We report findings from a community PPIE event that explored the knowledge, barriers and promoters for optimal vitamin D status amongst an exemplar highrisk and easily overlooked population group.Methods: Two researchers and one PPIE lead facilitated a single group discussion with twenty members of the Somali community from across west London. All attendees were women of reproductive age, or knew a mother and child that could benefit from a targeted initiative. The discussion was recorded, transcribed verbatim, organized and coded using NVivo 12 Pro to identify emergent themes underpinned by the Health Behaviour Model.Results: Attendees thought community safety and competing demands of technology and education impacted on sun exposure and lifestyle activity. Language barriers impacted on access to health care. Attendees also felt the mother figure was 'the most important' influencer of both child and wider community health. Discussion:Although further discourse is needed, this event emphasizes that it is important that the public voice is heard in informing, designing and evaluating appropriate public health interventions amongst specific ethnic groups. Insights from this Somali population have suggested benefit from using verbal health messages that are specifically targeted at mothers, compared with the general population. | 1323LEE Et aL.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with vitamin D supplementation: A cross-sectional online community survey of adults in the UK

“…There is a pressing need to study the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the wider community, in particular from Black, Asian and minority ethnic subpopulations, to gain an understanding of the facilitators of and barriers to vitamin D supplementation in men, women, and children. Lee C et al explored these aspects in depth with a Somali community in Northwest London and found that a lack of awareness, access, and a reluctance to medicalise a natural state (pregnancy) were key issues [ 10 , 24 ]. The work undertaken included a systematic review that reported a paucity of studies that address the behavioural determinants that would help attain an adequate vitamin D status in hard-to-reach communities [ 10 ].…”

Interventions to improve vitamin D status in at-risk ethnic groups during pregnancy and early childhood: a systematic review

“…We had planned to analyse behavioural interventions using HBM constructs (28) and the Behaviour Change Wheel framework criteria (30) . We have utilised HBM constructs for assessment in a previous patient and public involvement study (29) .…”

“…High-risk groups may need individualised advice and information on the need for vitamin D supplements. In addition, it may be important to address perceived medicalisation of vitamin D supplements, whereby women feel they only need to take a supplement on the recommendation or prescription from their GP (29) . Currently in the UK, patients and the public are advised to purchase vitamin D, unless eligible for the Healthy Start Scheme (19) .…”

“…sufficient sun exposure, supplementation, health information access); and (iv) perceived barriers (i.e. sufficient sun exposure, supplementation, health information access) (29) .…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with Vitamin D supplementation: A cross-sectional online community survey of adults in the UK

“…London and found that a lack of awareness, access, and a reluctance to medicalise a natural state (pregnancy) were key issues (10,24). The work undertaken included a systematic review that reported a paucity of studies that address the behavioural determinants that would help attain an adequate vitamin D status in hard-to-reach communities (10).…”