International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Public health

Objective: To establish a territory-wide program to prevent childhood rickets in Nunavut by increasing the vitamin D intake of pregnant women, infants and young children.

Background: In the 12 month period of 2003/2004, Community Health Centres in Nunavut reported seventeen cases of childhood rickets compared to only two cases reported in 1999/2000. The current Health Canada guidelines were considered too low for northern populations. Focus group sessions showed a lack of understanding among the population of vitamins in general and in particular a lack of knowledge of the need, benefits and importance of vitamin D supplements.

Conclusions: The need for a ‘northern strategy’ to prevent rickets was obvious. In 2004 Health Canada reviewed its guidelines on vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants. However, the Canadian Paediatric Society guidelines for vitamin D supplementation which consider populations north of latitude 55 degrees were adopted by the Department of Health and Social Services. A vitamin D ‘inservice’ program for health professionals was designed to increase awareness of rickets and promote supplementation. Translation and accurate interpretation of information at the community level was considered essential for the success of the program. Fact sheets and radio shows on the need and benefits of vitamin D supplementation were designed by CHR’s, physicians, nurses and nutritionists. These materials were developed in Inuktitut and then translated to English.

The program was launched in the summer of 2005. Evaluation results are not yet available.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

© 1996-2005, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk
Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)