Assessment of Food Taboo Practices among Pregnant Women in The Rural Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Food taboo practice is a menace that have affected pregnant women greatly as well as the outcome of their pregnancies. Food taboo is the avoidance of essential food nutrients by women in the rural areas mostly during pregnancy. Most of the pregnant women in the rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria indulges in one or more food restrictions without any considerations of its effects on their pregnancies. Thus, this study assessed food taboo practices among pregnant women in the rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria, using descriptive cross-sectional survey with Three hundred and sixty-four (364) respondents as the sample size. Aim and Objectives: To assess and document the food taboo practices among pregnant women in rural communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria and ascertain the reasons for the Food taboos practiced by pregnant women in some rural communities of Ebonyi State. Results: Result of the analysis showed that all the respondents in the study area engage in one form of food taboo or the order, avoiding foods like grass cutters, squirrels, Cakes and pastries among others and reported religion, culture, superstitious believe as their reasons. Conclusions: Food taboo in the rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria is basically related to traditional/cultural beliefs, ignorant, lack of nutrition education and superstitious belief. The study therefore recommends among other things that there should be an increased collaboration between the health care providers and the communities to enhance compliance with the practices of adequate food intake in the families especially among the pregnant mothers. Key words: Food, Taboo, Pregnant women, Rural communities, Intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, pregnancy outcome.