PP21 Exploration of behaviours and lifestyle factors impacting levels of vitamin D within a UK ambulance service workforce (EVOLVED)

<h3>Background</h3> Vitamin D deficiency can significantly impact health and wellbeing and may affect workplace performance. Evidence shows that shift, indoor and night working are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency; furthermore, awareness of vitamin D is variable amongst ambulance service staff, putting them at increased risk of deficiency. Screening in one ambulance service identified 46% of staff had insufficient or deficient vitamin D levels (i.e., 50.0nmol/L or less, as defined by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). <h3>Methods</h3> A purposive sample of 40 ambulance staff were recruited over seven months and invited to a one-hour, online, semi-structured interview. Interviews explored behaviours and lifestyle factors of those above and below the recommended adequate vitamin D levels and included questions about the impacts of vitamin D level on personal and professional wellbeing, and the opportunity to suggest possible improvements. Interview transcription analysis consisted of both descriptive and inductive thematic methods. <h3>Results</h3> Participants were aged between 21 and 61 years and worked in varying roles, including control room (n=9), operational (n=20) and support staff (n=11) and included those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, to represent Trust demographics. 6 themes were identified: working environment; supplements; activity levels; outside spaces; impact of deficiency symptoms; and diet. A lack of awareness of vitamin D related issues was identified, despite participants emphasising the importance of awareness to allow staff to take responsibility to promote their own health and wellbeing. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Several improvement suggestions were made including improved access to and maintenance of outside spaces at work, annual well-being checks and improved breaks. Strategies to promote awareness of vitamin D should be considered to improve staff wellbeing in this area. Participants positively perceived research exploring staff health and wellbeing, highlighting this as an area for future research.