Prevalence of Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency among Women and Children in AL-Wahat Region, Libya (2022)

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is common in old age, often due to insufficient exposure to sunlight. A deficiency in both VD and Ca has harmful effects on human health, leading to osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children. It also negatively impacts women, as well as individuals with liver, kidney, diabetes, and heart diseases.In a 2022 study conducted in the Al-Wahat area, it was found that 66% of women had a VD deficiency. Most of these women were between the ages of 20 and 40 a critical period for female health, as it includes reproductive years, pregnancy, and lactation factors that affect both mothers and their children, contributing to conditions like osteoporosis, fractures, and rickets.  Pearson’s correlation coefficient between VD and calcium deficiency in women was calculated to be 0.8, indicating a strong positive correlation. Interestingly, the percentage of deficiency in children was also 66%, mirroring that of the women, suggesting a significant link between VDdeficiency in these two groups. However, no significant association was found between calcium and VD deficiencies in children. While 27% of women had Ca deficiency (again mostly within the 20–40 age range), the calcium deficiency rate in children was only 12%, notably lower than in women this is statistically difference.