Role of Nutrition Education to Overcome Food Taboos and Improve Demand for Iron Tablet Intak during Pregnancy in Rural Communities in Ethiopia

Cherkose, Tigist Mamo; Sinamo, Sisay; Hailemichael, Tilaye

doi:10.9734/ejnfs/2015/21212

Cited by 4 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Nonetheless, to date, very little has been done to assess the general knowledge of Ethiopian women about nutrition during pregnancy (Cherkos et al . , Daba et al . ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Food taboos are therefore inextricably linked to the nutrition status of Ethiopian pregnant women, impacting their health and the health of their babies (Cherkos et al . ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…The richest food sources of iron are largely prohibited according to Ethiopian food taboos, and many women also refuse to take iron supplements for fear of having a large baby (Cherkos et al . ). Anaemia during pregnancy has been associated with a range of adverse outcomes (Abu‐Ouf & Jan ) such as a greater risk of infection, pre‐eclampsia, bleeding, IUGR, stillbirth (Abu‐Ouf & Jan ), premature birth (Allen ) and low birthweight (Alwan et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In addition to these foods, other studies have reported avoidance of potatoes, sweet potato (Cherkos et al . ) and sugar cane (Hanlon et al . ), so the baby will not grow too big and contribute to a difficult labour (Demissie et al .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Cherkos et al . , Zepro ). In refugee women, many of these factors have been shown to correspond with significantly higher rates of Caesarean sections and pregnancy complications (Correa‐Velez & Ryan ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Food taboos and nutrition‐related pregnancy concerns among Ethiopian women

Vasilevski

Carolan

2016

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Aims and objectives. To discuss Ethiopian food taboos during pregnancy and their relation to maternal nutritional status and pregnancy outcomes.Background. Recent waves of migration have seen large groups of Ethiopian refugees moving to countries around the globe. This is of concern as Ethiopian women are at risk for a number of medical and pregnancy complications. Health is further compromised by poor diet and adherence to cultural food beliefs and taboos. In refugee women, many of these factors correspond with significantly higher rates of pregnancy complications and poor birth outcomes.Design. This is a discussion paper informed by a literature review. Conclusions. There are many serious consequences of poor diet during pregnancy, however most of these can be avoided by greater awareness about the role of nutrition during pregnancy and by adopting a balanced diet. ETHIOPIAN PREGNANCY FOOD TABOOSRelevance to clinical practice. There is an urgent unmet need for nutrition education among Ethiopian women. Research indicates that Ethiopian women are receptive to nutritional advice during pregnancy and also that pregnant women are generally motivated to act in the baby's interest. These factors suggest that this high risk group would be receptive to culturally appropriate nutrition education, which would provide much needed meaningful support in pregnancy.

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“…Nonetheless, to date, very little has been done to assess the general knowledge of Ethiopian women about nutrition during pregnancy (Cherkos et al . , Daba et al . ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Food taboos are therefore inextricably linked to the nutrition status of Ethiopian pregnant women, impacting their health and the health of their babies (Cherkos et al . ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Food taboos and nutrition‐related pregnancy concerns among Ethiopian women

Vasilevski

Carolan

2016

Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Unravelling taboos and cultural beliefs associated with hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende district Eastern Uganda

Tugume,

Mustafa,

Walusansa

et al. 2024

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Food taboos and cultural beliefs among pregnant and breast-feeding women influence their food consumption patterns and hence the health of women and unborn children. Cognizant of their neglect in programs aimed to ameliorate hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende and other resource-poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa, we opted for a study to unravel them to inform program design. Methods We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant and breast-feeding women from six sub-counties of Buyende district in Eastern Uganda. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 462 women, eight focus group discussions with 6–10 participants in each and a total of 15 key informant interviews. Results The present study revealed that 129 (27.9%) of the respondents practice food taboos and adhere to cultural beliefs related to their dietary habits during pregnancy and breast-feeding that are fuelling the prevalence of hidden hunger. The most tabooed foods during pregnancy were sugarcane (17.8%), fishes which included lung fish, catfish and the Lake Victoria sardine (Rastrineobola argentea) (15.2%), oranges (6.6%), pineapples (5.9%), eggs (3.3%), chicken (3.3%) and cassava, mangoes and Cleome gynandra (each at 3%). Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy and labour complications and undesirable effects on the baby. Most women learnt of the taboos and beliefs from the elders, their own mother, grandparents or mother-in-law, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups within the community. Conclusions The taboos and cultural beliefs in the study area render pregnant and breast-feeding women prone to micronutrient deficiency since they are denied consumption of a diversity of nutritious foods. There is a need to educate such women about consumption of nutrient-rich foods like fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables in order to improve their health, that of the unborn and children being breast fed. Additionally, culturally appropriate nutrition education may be a good strategy to eliminate inappropriate food taboos and beliefs with negative impact on the health of pregnant and breast-feeding women.

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Unravelling taboos and cultural beliefs associated with hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende District Eastern Uganda

Tugume,

Mustafa,

Walusansa

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background: Food taboos and cultural beliefs among pregnant and breastfeeding women influence their food consumption patterns and hence the health of women and unborn children. Cognizant of their neglect in programs aimed to ameliorate hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende and other resource poor communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, we opted for a study to unravel them to inform program design. Methods: We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant and breast-feeding women from six sub counties of Buyende district in Eastern Uganda. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 489 women, eight focus group discussions with 6-10 participants in each and a total of 15 key informant interviews. Results: The present study revealed that nearly 40% of the respondents practice food taboos and adhere to cultural beliefs related to their dietary habits during pregnancy and breastfeeding, that are fuelling the prevalence of hidden hunger. The most tabooed foods during pregnancy were Saccharum officinarum (17.9%), fishes (16.0%), Citrus sinensis (5.8%), Ananas comosus (5.6%), eggs (3.6%), chicken (3.3%) and Eleusine coracana(3.0%).Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy, labour complications and undesirable effectson the baby. Most women learnt of the taboos and beliefs from elders especially their own mother, grandmother or mother in-law, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups within the community. Conclusion: The taboos and cultural beliefs in the study area renders pregnant and breast-feeding women prone to micronutrient deficiency since they are denied consumption of a diversity of nutritious foods. There is a need to educate such women about consumption of nutrient-rich foods like fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables in order to improve their health, that of the unborn and children being breast fed. Additionally, culturally appropriate nutrition education may be a good strategy to eliminate inappropriate food taboos and beliefs with negative impact on the health of pregnant and breast-feeding women.

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Role of Nutrition Education to Overcome Food Taboos and Improve Demand for Iron Tablet Intak during Pregnancy in Rural Communities in Ethiopia

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Food taboos and nutrition‐related pregnancy concerns among Ethiopian women

Food taboos and nutrition‐related pregnancy concerns among Ethiopian women

Unravelling taboos and cultural beliefs associated with hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende district Eastern Uganda

Unravelling taboos and cultural beliefs associated with hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende District Eastern Uganda

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