Author(s)

Inna Rudoy¹, Ilia Volkov^2*

¹Department of Family Medicine, Sial Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
²Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Vitamin D (Vit D) plays multiple roles in bodily functions. Vit D deficiency is a common, but often under-diagnosed condition with possible serious complications. According to some research, Vit D is important particularly among women and children. No data were found concerning the Vit D status among urban Bedouin women of childbearing age. The research study is retrospective and descriptive. We analyzed 202 medical histories of patients undergoing blood tests for Vit D level for various reasons. The main objectives of the research were: 1) determining the prevalence of the Vit D deficiency among the Bedouin women of childbearing age; 2) identifying the causes for the physicians’ reasons for suspecting Vit D deficiency: the complaints or symptoms which cause the doctor to test for Vit D level. As a result, in 80.7% of those tested for Vit D, levels were less than 10 ng/ml, and in 19.3%, levels of 10 to 20 ng/ml were found. In lieu of our findings and in order to prevent serious health problems, Vit D screening plan should be seriously considered and discussed in the Bedouin population with high risk of deficiency.

Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Vitamin D Deficiency in Women, Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency, Bedouin Population

Rudoy, I. and Volkov, I. (2015) Necessity for Vitamin D Screening among Urban Bedouin Women of Childbearing Age. Health, 7, 560-565. doi: 10.4236/health.2015.75066.