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 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.

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 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 Influence of food taboos on nutritional patterns in rural communities in Cameroon

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Lilian Nkengla Asi ◽  
Deli Tize Teri ◽  
V. Benno Meyer-Rochow
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Special Events ◽  
The People ◽  
Food Taboo ◽  
Influence Of Food ◽  
Traditional Societies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Specific Food

Abstract Food taboos are observed in all traditional societies. In Cameroon, various taboos ranging from food to religious and social have significant impact on the diet of the people. Specific food items are regarded differently by different communities. While in certain communities, some food items are seen as fit for consumption, others deem it unfit. Although food taboos related to culture are more subject to change due to the level of literacy that prevails in the society and due to cultural contacts, violators of taboos suffer grievous consequences. Methods used included key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations in all studied communities. The objective of the study is to understand how culture (food taboos) influences consumption patterns in traditional communities and the impact of disobedience on the people. This study of Cameroon food taboos has showed that dietary rules and regulations govern particular phases of life and is associated with special events like pregnancy, childbirth, lactation etc. In traditional societies, festivities such as hunting, wedding, and funeral are marked by specific food items. Punishments to violation of food taboos vary across food items and communities as what are considered a taboo in one community is not a taboo in another. Food taboo in some communities is considered as a way to maintain identity creating a sense of belonging.

scholarly journals Influence of food taboos on nutritional patterns in rural communities in Cameroon

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian Nkengla Asi ◽  
Deli Tize Teri
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Special Events ◽  
The People ◽  
Food Taboo ◽  
Influence Of Food ◽  
Traditional Societies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Specific Food

AbstractFood taboos are observed in all traditional societies. In Cameroon, various taboos ranging from food to religious and social have significant impact on the diet of the people. Specific food items are regarded differently by different communities. While in certain communities, some food items are seen as fit for consumption, others deem it unfit. Although food taboos related to culture are more subject to change due to the level of literacy that prevails in the society and due to cultural contacts, violators of taboos suffer grievous consequences. Methods used included key informant interviews, focus group discussions and observations in all studied communities. The objective of the study is to understand how culture (food taboos) influences consumption patterns in traditional communities and the impact of disobedience on the people. This study of Cameroon food taboos has showed that dietary rules and regulations govern particular phases of life and is associated with special events like pregnancy, childbirth, lactation etc. In traditional societies, festivities such as hunting, wedding, and funeral are marked by specific food items. Punishments to violation of food taboos vary across food items and communities as what are considered a taboo in one community is not a taboo in another. Food taboo in some communities is considered as a way to maintain identity creating a sense of belonging.

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.

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 Determinants of Food Taboos in the Pregnant Women of the Awabel District, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State in Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wollelaw Getnet ◽  
Wubie Aycheh ◽  
Taddele Tessema
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Wheat Bread ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Taboos ◽  
Food Taboo ◽  
Health Institutions ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

Background. Food taboos have great effect on pregnant women through prohibited essential food and/or drinks. It is transferred from generation to generation and has negative effect on pregnant mothers' health. Objective. To assess magnitude of food taboo and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health institutions in Awabel district, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016. Methods. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted. Three hundred seven pregnant women were selected for the study. All governmental health institutions in the district were included for the study. Data were entered in to Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of food taboo. Results. Twenty-seven percent of pregnant mother encountered food taboos. Avoided food items by pregnant mothers were linseed, coffee, tea, cabbage, porridge, wheat bread, banana, pimento, groundnut, salty diet, nug, sugarcane, pumpkin, and coca drinks. Reasons mentioned for avoidance of this food items were plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery, fear of abortion, and fetal abnormality. Age of the mother AOR= 2.97 (1.71-5.16), income AOR= 0.28 (0.11-0.72), and previous antenatal care AOR= 2.33 (1.89-5.47) were significantly associated with food taboo. Conclusion. Our study revealed that considerable proportion of food taboo exists during pregnancy in the study area. This can be improved by strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up.

scholarly journals A Narrative Review of Nutritional Malpractices, Motivational Drivers, and Consequences in Pregnant Women: Evidence from Recent Literature and Program Implications in Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Gesessew Kibr
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Intrauterine Growth Restriction ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Fetal Head ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Healthy Diets

Maternal nutrition is very important for the wellbeing of pregnant women, childbirth, and lactating women, which are crucial and meant for the wellbeing of a mother and newborn baby. This narrative review discusses nutritional malpractices, motivational drivers, and their consequences typically from Ethiopian pregnant women’s context. Different studies (regarding less of study design and type) done among pregnant women (aged 15–49 years) by considering pregnancy-related outcomes and timing of nutritional malpractices were included mostly. Accordingly, taboos of healthy diets, craving for unhealthy foods (sweet, fat, raw, and salty/spicy foods), and nonfood items (soil, coffee residue, stone, and ash) were practiced majorly by the women. The birth difficulty, fetal head plastering, fetus discoloration, fetus burns, abortion, and abdominal cramp are the primary drivers of taboos of healthy diets. Hormonal change and social and nutrient-seeking behavior are the most prevalent drivers to the consumption of unhealthy foods. Additionally, personal interest, flavor, and color of items are important motivators to practice pica. Such pica practice hurts nutrient intake, absorption of iron/zinc, abdominal health, and diarrhea occurrence. Food taboos are high predictors of health disorders, such as intrauterine growth restriction, infection, bleeding, preeclampsia, stillbirth, early birth, low birth weight, retarded development of cognitive, and anemia. Craving and eating unhealthy foods were interconnected with chronic disease development (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer), discomforts, preterm labor, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction in women. Additionally, it is also associated with stillbirth, low birth weight, obesity, birth defect/deficit, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, renal disease, decreased fetal growth, behavioral change, heart failure, and poor cognitive development in the infant. Overall, these nutritional malpractices are significantly associated with many argumentative pregnancies as well as developmental consequences leading to the direction of infant and maternal mortality and morbidity. Therefore, urgent implementation of health and nutrition education programs considering food misconceptions and beliefs regarding pregnancy and use of ground-breaking ways to play down the negative and maximize potential positive dietary effects designed by the government of Ethiopia could also serve as a long-term solution to the problem.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document