Superstitions and nutrition among pregnant women in Nwangele local government area of Imo state, Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of traditional belief and taboos on the feeding practices and nutritional status of pregnant women in Nwangele Local Government Area Imo state were assessed. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, food taboos and
feeding practices of the subjects. Anthropometric indices of the subjects were also assessed using weighing scale, height measuring rod and tape. The results of the survey show that 54% of the subjects receive less than N5,000.00 per month;15% of the pregnant women adhere to traditional beliefs and food taboo; 38% of the women were malnourished and 62% were within the range of the expected body weight. Nutrition education should be intensified in health centres and different villages in the local government to help teach pregnant women on healthy food selection and importance of nutrition during pregnancy.