Short Background and Purpose Statement (200-250 words maximum)
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sits in one of sunniest regions of the planet and since sunlight is detrimental in the production of previtamin D in the body, the usual assumption is that the great majority of the population is getting enough of vitamin D. On the contrary, there is a growing concern about the health of Saudi Arabians due to the imminence of vitamin D deficiency. This problem is attributed to several causes including socio-cultural and biological practices. In addition, significant number of women and children are experiencing bone related diseases such as rickets. These health problems are essentially caused by the lack of adequate exposure to sunlight and ultimately due to vitamin D deficiency. It was found that women and children are the most affected segment of the population. One of the early assumptions about vitamin D deficiency is caused by not being regularly exposed to sunlight. On the other hand, socio-cultural practices such as wearing of veil by Saudi Women are among the major contributor to the problem.
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of socio-cultural practices to the health of Saudi Arabian women focusing on the problems attributed to vitamin D deficiency.
Methodology (500-700 words maximum)
The study will follow a simple experiment involving a cross-analysis of the results obtained from the simple research. To support the theoretical underpinnings of this study, a review of related literature will be conducted. Furthermore, the study will also employ the use of mixed method research that will comprise of a survey and a simple experiment. The experiment will require 100 participants (50 men, 50 women) in Saudi Arabia. The group will be divided to two segments, Group A will consist of 25 males, and 25 female participants with their blood test to be taken to determine vitamin D level at prior to experiment. The Group B will also consist of 25 males and 25 females whose blood samples will be taken for vitamin D level analysis. To address the ethical requirements of the study, permission to conduct research-involving taking of blood samples will be acquired from the Saudi Arabia Research Advisory Council. This is to ensure that the study and methods applied adheres to the prescribed Islamic regulations. The blood samples will be analyzed to determine vitamin D levels of the participants and they will be asked to answer the survey questionnaire that will determine the factors and activities that each age groups is engaged with that may provide clues to vitamin D deficiency.
Group A will be asked to be exposed to sunlight for 15 minutes everyday at a course of a 30 day period. Group B on the other hand will not be required to perform the same routine, but rather advised to continue with their usual activities. After a month, blood samples will be taken from both groups’ participants for analysis. The primary objective is to determine the variances in vitamin D level of participants before and after the experiment. Furthermore, the results of the blood tests between Group A and B will be crossed examined to determine the changes in vitamin D level of participants that were exposed to sunlight and those that were not. The results of the experiment will be plotted for analysis in order to get a visual of the effect of sunlight exposure on vitamin D production among the participants.
(Copy to be provided to both graduate coordinators)
