News from KSHEMA | Outreach Program

The Department of Community Medicine, KSHEMA organized an Outreach Program at Sasihithlu Rural Health Training Centre on 13th January 2023 to educate the households about Vitamin D deficiency.

Deficiency of Vitamin D results in reduced bone density, thereby predisposing a person to joint pain, fatigue etc. In children, Vitamin D deficiency causes ‘rickets’ - softening and weakening of bones which is characterised by deformity of chest and rib, bone fracture, bow legs, deformity of the skull or slow growth. In adults, especially women in post-menopausal age, lack of estrogen weakens the bones resulting in osteoporosis. Vitamin D works to slow down and minimise the weakening process.

Health education was provided on how to prevent these complications arising due to Vitamin D deficiency. The major source of Vitamin D is sunlight. Other sources of Vitamin D include cod liver oil, mackerel, sardine, milk, egg etc. Importance of exposure to sunlight during early morning & evening hours, consumption of seafood, milk and egg was explained to the people in local languages. The importance of taking calcium supplements was also explained as calcium is necessary for the absorption of vitamin D.

Routine BP check-up was also done for all.