Food taboos and nutrition during pregnancy in Africa

theplate.nationalgeographic.com

Education and communication can influence the degree to which women of childbearing age understand the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy. A Healthy balanced diet is a critical aspect of any pregnancy, as it will help the baby develop, and keep the woman in good condition. For instance, a firm link has been identified between malnutrition and anaemia during pregnancy (Rush, 2001).

The demand for iron and vitamins in women during pregnancy is increased due to the physiological burden, and these dietary deficiencies may give rise to anaemia. Unfortunately, African women are more prone to the risk of becoming iron and micronutrient deficient (Oye-Adeniran et al., 2014), potentially increasing their vulnerability to any concurrent condition. Maternal anaemia, however mild, enhances the risk of life-threatening postpartum haemorrhage (Allen, 2000; Rogo et al., 2006).

It is discouraging that reports show many women in Africa, especially the rural dwellers did not recognise the magnitude of the issue as they did not perceive anaemia as a priority health problem (Ejidokun, 2000; Ibrahim Isa et al., 2012). This same observation was made in less rural areas, for example, in Rivers State, Nigeria; there was a high prevalence of iron and zinc deficiency reported in the urban pregnant women (Oguizu et al., 2015).Indicating that women of different socio-economic backgrounds need an education intervention regarding nutrition during pregnancy.

Taking this topic a little closer to Sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, scholars have reported a link between food taboos and nutrient deficiency, because forbidding certain foods may deny healthy nutrients to the mother (Ono & Tukur, 2014). This issue contributes to the area of cultural impacts that can be detrimental to pregnant women’s health (Chukuezi, 2010). For example, in Nigeria, some cultures believe that women should avoid eating snails; otherwise, the baby eventually over salivates throughout their lifetime ( Ekwochi et al., 2016). Other examples exist such as mothers avoiding eggs to prevent the child becoming a thief, and avoidance of milk to stop the baby from growing up a weakling (Marchie & Anyanwu, 2009). On the other hand, some truth may exist to some of these food taboos. For instance, unpasteurised milk and soft cheeses (risk of listeria poisoning) are listed as foods to be avoided during pregnancy on the National Health Service, UK advisory website (National Health Service, 2015).

The aforementioned points emphasise the importance to empower the women through education, equalities in rights and fundamental socio-economics factors, for them to be properly equipped and informed to make better health care decisions irrespective of the deep-rooted cultural norms present in the communities.

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