Prevalence of consumption of some non-food items (uro, nzu and ice block) among pregnant women in Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period associated with physiological changes that often results in craving and aversion of certain foods. In some cases, pregna (p < 0.001) nt women crave for non-food items which may detrimental to them and their unborn children.

Objective: This study determined the prevalence of consumption of some non-food items (uro, nzu and ice block) among pregnant women in Owerri metropolis, Imo state, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to study purposively selected 326 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Federal Medical Centre and Primary Healthcare Centre in Owerri metropolis. Semi structure questionnaire was used for data collection and frequency and percentage were calculated using descriptive statistical software package SPSS version 20.

Results: More than half (59.5 %) of the subjects were 18 – 31years. Prevalence of nzu consumption was 90.2%, uro 94.1% and ice block 51.8%. Perceived health benefit of pica by the respondents ranged from enhancement of child development (16.6%) to prevention of nausea and vomiting (73.3%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of consumption of nzu and uro was very high amongst the respondents and this could be attributed to the perceived notion that they prevent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Keywords: Nzu, uro, ice block, pregnancy, consumption