Role of food taboos in energy, macro and micronutrient intake of pregnant women in western Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 795-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Wanjiru Kariuki ◽  
Christine Lambert ◽  
Ratna Chrismiari Purwestri ◽  
Patrick Maundu ◽  
Hans Konrad Biesalski
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Low Education ◽  
Lower Education

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine food taboos/habits and dietary patterns of pregnant women in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach In all, 205 individual 24-h recall interviews were conducted face to face to collect information on pregnant women dietary intake. Women focus group discussions were conducted in seven villages in Kakamega County to determine which foods are avoided during pregnancy and the reasons for avoiding them. Findings The concept of “baby becoming big” was common advice to pregnant women to reduce intake of large amounts of starchy or high caloric foods. Restriction on the consumption of some parts of cow and chicken and consumption of eggs was widespread. Women with the highest education had significantly higher intake than women with lower education: energy (1,718 vs 1,436 kcal, p = 0.007), protein (45 vs 38 g, p = 0.03), vitamin C (59 vs 39 mg, p = 0.000), calcium (275 vs 222 mg, p = 0.04) and iron (8.5 vs 7.2 mg, p = 0.03). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that participants with higher education were more likely to reach estimated average intake for energy (OR = 2.82, 95 per cent CI = 1.2-6.5) and vitamin C (OR = 4.1, 95 per cent CI = 1.5-11.0) than women with lower education level. Originality/value The observed link between reduced intake of nutrients and low education levels suggests that education is a possible intervention strategy. Incorporating nutrition education in school curriculum and improving knowledge on nutrition among women with low education may help overcome unhealthy food taboos in pregnant women.

scholarly journals Food-related taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy among rural communities of Illu Aba Bor zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A community based qualitative cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Tsegaye ◽  
Dessalegn Tamiru ◽  
Tefera Belachew
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Birth Outcome ◽  
Fetal Head ◽  
Health Extension Workers ◽  
Traditional Beliefs ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Taboos

Abstract Background Poor maternal nutrition adversely affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. In many societies, there are dietary restrictions due to misconceptions or food taboos during pregnancy which consequently results in the depletion of important nutrients. These cultural malpractices and beliefs can influence the dietary intake of pregnant women which subsequently affects the birth outcome. The study aimed at exploring the extent of food taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy in rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using an in-depth interviews of key informants and focus group discussions among purposively selected pregnant women and their husbands, health care workers, health extension workers, and elderly people. Data were transcribed verbatim, thematized; color-coded, and analyzed manually using the thematic framework method. Result Thorough reading and review of the transcripts generated three major themes. The primary theme was the belief and practice of taboos related to the intake of certain food items during pregnancy. Pregnant women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law believed that certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy. The second theme was foods that were held as taboo and the reason attached to it. The most common food items held as taboo were related to the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, milk and milk products, sugar cane, fruits like bananas and avocado and egg. The main reasons to avoid these foods were beliefs that it can be plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery. The third theme was the reasons underlying adherence to food taboos which is deeply embedded in the person’s believes and attitudes of the pregnant women, who were nested within the influence of the social environment surrounding them and the traditional beliefs and values of the society in general. Conclusions The results showed a widespread practice of food taboos during pregnancy in the study area. The finding suggested that there is a need for strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up and planning comprehensive nutrition education through involving important others to dispel such traditional beliefs and prevent food taboo practices in the study community.

scholarly journals Food Taboos and Cultural Beliefs Influence Food Choice and Dietary Preferences among Pregnant Women in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamuchirai Chakona ◽  
Charlie Shackleton
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Food Taboos

A well-nourished and healthy population is a central tenet of sustainable development. In South Africa, cultural beliefs and food taboos followed by some pregnant women influence their food consumption, which impacts the health of mothers and children during pregnancy and immediately afterwards. We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant isiXhosa women from five communities in the Kat River Valley, South Africa. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 224 women and nine focus group discussions with 94 participants. Overall, 37% of the women reported one or more food practices shaped by local cultural taboos or beliefs. The most commonly avoided foods were meat products, fish, potatoes, fruits, beans, eggs, butternut and pumpkin, which are rich in essential micronutrients, protein and carbohydrates. Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy outcome, labour and to avoid an undesirable body form for the baby. Some pregnant women consumed herbal decoctions for strengthening pregnancy, facilitating labour and overall health of both themselves and the foetus. Most learnt of the taboos and practices from their own mother or grandmother, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups. Some pregnant women in the study may be considered nutritionally vulnerable due to the likelihood of decreased intake of nutrient-rich foods resulting from cultural beliefs and food taboos against some nutritious foods. Encouraging such women to adopt a healthy diet with more protein-rich foods, vegetables and fruits would significantly improve maternal nutrition and children’s nutrition. Adhering to culturally appropriate nutrition education may be an important care practice for many pregnant women in the Kat River Valley.

scholarly journals What Worked for Improving Balanced Maternal Dietary Intake in Rural Bangladesh? Implications for New Programs

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 153-153
Author(s):  
Ashraful Alam ◽  
Morseda Chowdhury ◽  
Michael Dibley ◽  
Camille Raynes-Greenow
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
Rural Bangladesh ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Practical Demonstration

Abstract Objectives To assess the strategies that worked to motivate the women and families to adhere to a nutrition behavior change intervention trial that aimed to promote balanced diet in pregnancy in rural Bangladesh. Methods We designed this process evaluation as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial. We conducted in-depth interviews with pregnant women, recently-delivered women, and husbands; focus groups with mothers and mothers-in-law; and key-informant interviews with Shasthya Kormis (community health workers) who provided the balanced plate nutrition intervention. Results The novel finding in the study was that the balanced plate nutrition education helped women through practical demonstration to learn about a balanced meal considering appropriate portion sizes and diversity of foods. We also found that pregnant women needed active involvement of community health workers in mobilizing social support to create an enabling environment essential to bring changes in dietary behavior with self-motivation. Practical demonstration, opportunity to participate and convenience of making of the plate with the food available in own or neighbors’ kitchen were the most commonly mentioned reasons of acceptance of the intervention to the women and families. We identified six key areas within the intervention strategy that played crucial role in achieving desired adherence. These include: practical demonstration of portion sizes engaging the end-users; addressing local food perceptions; demystifying animal-source foods; engaging husbands and mothers-in-law; leveraging women's social networks; and harnessing community health workers’ social role. Conclusions Programs to improve maternal nutritious food consumption should focus on promoting diet through practical demonstration of portion sizes through active engagement of the women and family instead of replicating the conventional information-based counseling. Funding Sources The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health.

scholarly journals Food related taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy among rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Tsegaye ◽  
Dessalegn Tamiru ◽  
Tefera Belachew
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Birth Outcome ◽  
Traditional Beliefs ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Food Taboo

Abstract Background: Poor maternal nutrition adversely affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. In many societies, pregnant women have food taboos and misconceptions which consequently results in the depletion of vital nutrients. These cultural malpractices and beliefs can influence dietary intake of pregnant women which subsequently affects the birth outcome. This study aimed at exploring the extent of food taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy in rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews of key informants and focus group discussions among purposefully selected pregnant women and their husbands, elderly people, health workers and health extension workers. Data were transcribed verbatim, thematized; color coded and analyzed manually using the thematic framework method.Result: Thorough reading and review of the transcripts generated three major themes. The first theme was belief and practice of taboos related to the intake of certain food items during pregnancy. Pregnant women, their husbands and mothers- in- law believed that certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy. The second theme was foods that were held as taboo and the reason attached to the food taboos. The most common food items held as taboo were related to the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, milk and milk products, sugar cane, fruit like banana and avocado and egg and the main reasons to avoid these foods were a belief that it can be plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery. The third theme was the reasons underlying adherence to food taboos which is deeply embedded in the personal believes and attitudes of the pregnant women, who were nested within the influence of the social environment surrounding them and the traditional beliefs and values of the society in general. Conclusions: The results showed a widespread practice of food taboo during pregnancy in the study area. The finding suggested that there is a need for strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up and planning comprehensive nutrition education through involving important others to dispel such traditional beliefs and prevent food taboo practices in the study community.

Factors associated with food taboos among pregnant women in the Dimma district, Gambella, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ageze Teshome ◽  
Beakal Zinab ◽  
Tekle Wakjira ◽  
Dessalegn Tamiru
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Mustard Seed ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Food Taboo ◽  
Key Informant

Background/Aims A food taboo is a food or drink that people are prohibited from consuming, often as a result of an incorrect perception of the food or for religious reasons, especially in low- and middle-income countries. During pregnancy, many women are subject to food taboos that can have deleterious effects on the fetus. This study aimed to assess the magnitude ofand factors associated with food taboos among pregnant women in Dimma district, Gambella, Ethiopia. The findings of this study can advise how to address the cultural malpractices that affect dietary behaviours of pregnant women, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 276 pregnant women from March 6 to May 8 2019, in Dimma district, Gambella. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and key informant interviews. A total of 14 key informant interviews were conducted. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to isolate independent predictors of food taboo practices. All tests were two sided and P<0.05 was used to set statistical significance. Qualitative data were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Results Over one-third (34.7%) of the study participants restricted themselves from at least one food item during pregnancy. Common food taboos were fruits, cereals, honey, sugarcane, garden cress, mustard seed and yam. The main reasons behind food taboos were fear of maternal and fetal complications, including abortion, cardiac problems and anaemia. Food taboo practice was more common in participants aged ≥25 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.72; P=0.002), who had only attended primary education (adjusted odd ratio=2.56, P=0.019) and had a gestational age ≥7 months (adjusted odds ratio=4.33, P<0.001). Conclusions More than one-third of pregnant mothers were practicing food taboos during pregnancy in Dimma Woreda, Gambella region, which was significantly associated with older participants and a lack of formal education. Therefore, intensive nutrition education should be given by both government and non-government organisations, focusing on pregnant women.

scholarly journals Counselling as a Complementary Maternal and Child Health Intervention in Ghana: The Effect on Pregnancy Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1285-1285
Author(s):  
Faith Agbozo ◽  
Abdulai Abubakari ◽  
Francis Zotor ◽  
Albrecht Jahn
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Birth Preparedness ◽  
Insecticide Treated Nets ◽  
Complication Readiness ◽  
Danger Signs ◽  
Implementation Gaps

Abstract Objectives To identify the main issues midwives reportedly counsel pregnant women on, the influence of counseling on pregnancy outcomes and the implementation gaps. Methods Mixed method design was used. Quantitative data included interviews with 299 pregnant women above 27 gestational weeks randomly recruited from five hospitals in Ghana who had four or more antenatal care (ANC) visits. Their maternal health record books were reviewed for documented counseling sessions. Where half of the recommended topics were discussed, it was considered as adequate counseling (AC). Binary logistic regression was modeled in STATA to estimate the unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of AC on pregnancy outcomes. For the qualitative data, in-depth were conducted with 15 midwives and exit interviews with all the women and analyzed thematically. Results According to the women, the most discussed topics were usage of insecticide-treated nets (60.5%), personal/environmental hygiene (57.5%) and breastfeeding (52.3%). Conversely, the midwives documented discussing mostly nutrition/anaemia (37.6%), danger signs in pregnancy (30.1%) and birth preparedness/complication readiness (29.9%). Most women disliked group counseling and cited non-tailoring of advice. Main implementation gaps were heavy work schedules, inadequate staff, limited time for counseling and hefty documentation. The 45% who were adequately counseled significantly reduced their likelihood for poor dietary intake (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32–0.90), incidence of malaria (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.78), preeclampsia (OR: 0.25 CI: 0.06–0.99) and need for neonatal intensive care (OR: 0.29 CI: 0.09–0.94) while increasing the newborn's birth weight (OR: 1.85 CI: 1.08–3.19). Conclusions Strengthening ANC, training midwives to counsel effectively using different skills in varying situations and adopting peer counsellors would facilitate client-centred nutrition education and empower women to take healthier actions, thus promoting behaviour change. Funding Sources None.

scholarly journals Food related taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy among rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Tsegaye ◽  
Dessalegn Tamiru ◽  
Tefera Belachew
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Birth Outcome ◽  
Traditional Beliefs ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Food Taboo

Abstract Background: Poor maternal nutrition adversely affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. In many societies, pregnant women have food taboos and misconceptions which consequently results in the depletion of vital nutrients. These cultural malpractices and beliefs can influence dietary intake of pregnant women which subsequently affects the birth outcome. This study aimed at exploring the extent of food taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy in rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews of key informants and focus group discussions among purposefully selected pregnant women and their husbands, elderly people, health workers and health extension workers. Data were transcribed verbatim, thematized; color coded and analyzed manually using the thematic framework method.Result: Thorough reading and review of the transcripts generated three major themes. The first theme was belief and practice of taboos related to the intake of certain food items during pregnancy. Pregnant women, their husbands and mothers- in- law believed that certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy. The second theme was foods that were held as taboo and the reason attached to the food taboos. The most common food items held as taboo were related to the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, milk and milk products, sugar cane, fruit like banana and avocado and egg and the main reasons to avoid these foods were a belief that it can be plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery. The third theme was the reasons underlying adherence to food taboos which is deeply embedded in the personal believes and attitudes of the pregnant women, who were nested within the influence of the social environment surrounding them and the traditional beliefs and values of the society in general.Conclusions: The results showed a widespread practice of food taboo during pregnancy in the study area. The finding suggested that there is a need for strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up and planning comprehensive nutrition education through involving important others to dispel such traditional beliefs and prevent food taboo practices in the study community.

scholarly journals Effects of Nutrition Education on Nutrition Knowledge and Iron Status in Primary School Pupils of Gatanga District, Muranga Country, Kenya

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gladys Gitau ◽  
Judith Kimiywe ◽  
Judith Waudo ◽  
Dorcus Mbithe
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Intervention Strategy ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Control School ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Age Group

School-age children are both growing and learning, and anaemia can affect cognitive function, motor performance and educational achievements of this age group. Nutrition education has not been given the priority it deserves in primary schools due to the busy school curriculum. It is in this light this study was designed for one teaching calendar year. Subjects & methods: Pupils (n=601) covering the age 11-18 years were included. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three main Nutrition Education strategies on nutrition knowledge and iron status among primary schools children in Gatanga district. A baseline survey was conducted in 12 randomly selected schools for class six pupils and their households. Questionnaires and an interview schedule were used to collect data, with pre and post tests. The interventions schools were Mabanda, Kigio and Kirwara (experimental) and Gakurari (control school). Baseline data were analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Nutri-Survey computer packages using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The data were coded to search for emerging themes. This led to the identification of variables and concepts of iron deficiency in the children, which was crucial to the design of the corrective measures model for the interventions. On average the mean mark, in nutrition knowledge at baseline was 30.05%. In the post-tests all experimental schools (n=154) significantly improved in nutrition knowledge, and the peer facilitated school performed best with (51.52+24.79) marks, Researcher facilitated school (48.39+22.23) and the agriculture staff (38.70+9.87). The pre-test post- test improvement in the control school (31.21+12.74) was however not significant (p>0.05). A total of 31.4 % pupils ( Sub sample n=89) were found to be anaemic after altitude adjustments at a calculated factor 0.5 for Gatanga altitude (2237m ASL). Pupils’ haemoglobin status were not significantly different (p>0.05) between the experimental and control schools at baseline, notable differences occurred in the experimental schools after the interventions. Relationship between nutrition knowledge and nutrient intake was positive and there was a statistically significant relationship between nutrition knowledge and hemoglobin levels at p<0.05 (R2=0.253, p=0.025). Anemia was found to be a significant problem and therefore the need for a comprehensive intervention strategy by all stakeholders to improve the iron status in this age group.

Striae Gravidarum, Vitamin C and Other Related Factors

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahime Bedir Findik ◽  
Nurcihan Karakurt Hascelik ◽  
Kadir Okhan Akin ◽  
Ayse Nurcan Unluer ◽  
Jale Karakaya
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Thigh Circumference ◽  
Striae Gravidarum

Background: Striae gravidarum, a clinical condition commonly seen in pregnant women, produces serious cosmetic problems and may lead to psychological problems. Aim: The present study investigated whether there was any relation between the presence of striae in primigravid pregnant women and blood vitamin C levels, and factors thought to contribute to the formation of striae such as family history, weight gained during pregnancy, smoking status, abdominal and thigh circumference, and age. Methods: Overall, 69 primigravid women attending routine antenatal follow-up and, using prophylactic iron and vitamin preparations, underwent investigation. All were pregnant 36 or more weeks. Scoring was based on striae examination and whether striae were present. The relation between the presence of striae, vitamin C blood levels, and other factors was investigated. Results and Conclusions: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant relation between the presence of striae and blood vitamin C levels (p = 0.046) and between the presence of striae and family history (p = 0.023). No significant relation was found between the presence of striae and age, weight gained during pregnancy, abdominal and thigh circumference, or smoking status. It was concluded that further, more comprehensive studies on the issue are required.

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