Vitamin D Deficiency and Anaemia among Allied Health Students in the University of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Young adults transitioning from late adolescence to early adulthood (18-24 yrs) experience a growth spurt that imposes an increased need for both macronutrients and micronutrients. Adequate vitamin D levels mainly from sun exposure and diet improves bone function, especially attaining maximum bone strength and density in young adults. Also, the extra-skeletal functions of vitamin D which includes muscle strengthening and improved cognitive performance are all essential for growth. High prevalence of VDD have been reported in countries with abundant sunlight supply year round and in these areas VDD has been associated with poor diet, skin pigmentation, clothing and lack of sun exposure. Anaemia is another major public health problem known to be high especially among females of child-bearing age. Recent studies have reported an association between Vitamin D and anaemia indicating potential roles for vitamin D in iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. Unfortunately, there is very little data on the vitamin D status of Ghanaians and moreso among healthy young adults. Aim: To determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and anaemia among undergraduate Allied Health students in University of Ghana, Legon. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used in this study. One Hundred and Twenty (120) study participants were randomly selected amongst undergraduates aged 18- 24 years from different departments in SBAHS, Univeristy of Ghana. A self-reported questionnaire was administered to obtain information on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics and anthropometric measurements of students. Also a FFQ was used to assess the dietary intakes of foods rich in vitamin D and iron. A Sunlight Exposure Questionnaire (SEQ) was also used to estimate sunlight exposure of students. Serum Vitamin D levels and Hb levels were determined from the blood samples collected from each student; using an Elisa Kit and the flow cytometry method respectively. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0 was used to analyse the data obtained. Chi-square test, Binary Logistic Regression and Correlation tests were used to determine the association between the variables. An independent t-test was used to find the differences between mean vitamin D and haemoglobin status of the students’ gender. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 77.5%. More males (80.3%) than females (74.6%) were vitamin D deficient. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of students were anaemic, majority being females (74.6%). Males had a much lower likelihood of being anaemic levels [AOR = 229.971, (95%CI = 30.141- 1754.641), p< 0.001]. Intake of some vitamin D- rich foods (Offal and processed meat), exposure to sunlight on weekends and normal muscle mass were significantly associated with vitamin D status. There was no significant association between vitamin D status and haemoglobin levels of students. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was very high amongst the students although most of them spent at least 30 minutes in the sun, especially on weekdays. Also, student intake of foods rich in vitamin D and iron was poor and almost all students rarely or never took any form of supplementation. There was no significant association between vitamin D and anaemia. However, the high prevalence of anaemia especially among female students goes to confirm global health reports on anaemia.