Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research
Food taboos and myths in South Eastern Nigeria: The belief and practice of mothers in the region
Published in: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine | Issue 1/2016
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
Poor nutritional practices especially in pregnancy and early childhood can result in dire consequences in the growth and development of a child.
Methods
This study using purposive sampling enrolled 149 women who had carried at least one pregnancy to term in Enugu south east Nigeria. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess association between avoidance of certain food in pregnancy and selected socio-demographic factors.
Results
Approximately 37 % of respondents avoided some foods in pregnancy due to food taboos and no relationship was seen between this avoidance of food and maternal educational attainment, parity (number of obstetrics deliveries) and occupation. Snail and grass-cutter meat were the commonly avoided food in pregnancy while egg were commonly avoided in children under-two years old. Some respondent believed eating snail and grass-cutter meat makes a child sluggish and labour difficult respectively while starting egg early for a child could predispose them to stealing later in life.
Conclusion
Discussion about food taboos during antenatal care visits and during community education can help reduce the traditional belief about certain food in pregnancy and early childhood.