THE EFFECT OF SUN LIGHT EXPOSURE TO THE LEVEL OF VITAMIN D IN THE ELDERLY LIVING IN NURSING HOME

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of nursing interventions and sunlight exposure to reach optimum vitamin D levels by individuals living in nursing homes on vitamin D levels.

Material Method: In the first stage of this two-stage randomized-controlled experimental study with pretest-posttest design conducted in June - August 2018 period in the nursing home in Central Town of Tokat Province, the questionnaire prepared by the researcher, standardized mini mental test, Fitzpatrick skin typing questionnaire and Katz Index of activities of daily living were applied. Intervention (n=20) and control (n=20) groups were established with individuals using simple random method according to age, gender, skin type and vitamin D level. In the second stage, 30-35% of the body surface area of individuals in the intervention group was exposed to sunlight five days a week in July. For the participants in the control group, sunbathing was not offered. 25(OH)D, calcium, parathormone, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and albumin levels of all individuals were measured in blood samples taken at the beginning and end of the study. Two-way mixed ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the data.