Assessment of vitamin D status in patients attending a private clinic, Boorama, Somaliland, 2020-2024

This study assesses the vitamin D status and associated demographic factors among patients attending a private clinic in Boorama, Somaliland, from 2020 to 2024. Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue affecting over a billion people, and despite abundant sunshine in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, deficiency remains prevalent. In Somaliland, data on vitamin D status is scarce. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the medical records of 200 patients from Geelle Polyclinics. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were categorized as deficient, insufficient, or normal. The study found a high prevalence of suboptimal vitamin D, with 76% of patients being insufficient and 11.5% deficient. Statistically significant associations were found between vitamin D status and age, gender, and geographical location. These findings indicate a significant public health concern in a sun-rich region and highlight the need for local public health interventions such as awareness programs, food fortification, and targeted supplementation.