Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study
Abstract Background Dietary related misconceptions during pregnancy affect the heath of mothers and their growing babies. Misconceptions vary from place to place and from community to community. Understanding of a given community’s food perceptions during pregnancy helps policy makers able to design...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04593-3 |
| _version_ | 1818355014479904768 |
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| author | Kebede Eyasu Lemlem Weledegerima Gebremariam Freweini Gebrearegay Zinabu Hadush Afework Mulugeta |
| author_facet | Kebede Eyasu Lemlem Weledegerima Gebremariam Freweini Gebrearegay Zinabu Hadush Afework Mulugeta |
| author_sort | Kebede Eyasu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dietary related misconceptions during pregnancy affect the heath of mothers and their growing babies. Misconceptions vary from place to place and from community to community. Understanding of a given community’s food perceptions during pregnancy helps policy makers able to design cultural appropriate interventions. In Ethiopia, however, evidences on food beliefs and perceptions during pregnancy are limited. Therefore, this study is aimed at qualitatively assessing community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia. Methods We conducted 10 in-depth interviews (n = 10) and four focus group discussions (n = 32) among purposively selected community groups including pregnant mothers, religious leaders, and elders in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia. Data were transcribed word-for-word, translated into English, and uploaded into ATLAST ti version 7.5.1.6. Data were analyzed following the principles of thematic analysis. Line-by-line coding was applied to identify codes; identified codes were categorized based on their similarities and differences and themes were developed inductively. Results Three main themes were identified inductively; foods positively and negatively linked with pregnancy; perceived benefits and harms of alcoholic drinks during pregnancy; and religion and fasting. In this study, consumptions of animal source foods such as egg were discouraged because such foods were perceived to increase the risk of having big baby that could delay delivery. However, intakes of locally produced alcoholic drinks during pregnancy were encouraged by the local community. Furthermore, avoidance of animal source foods and meal skipping during religious fasting-periods were also common practices among pregnant mothers in the study area. Conclusions This study explored misconceptions on food intakes during pregnancy. Positive attitude towards intake of “soft” alcoholic drinks might result in alcohol related teratogenic effects. Restriction on the intakes of nutrient rich diets due to religious fasting and other misconceptions would lead to insufficient nutrient intake both to the mothers and their growing fetus. Culturally appropriate intervention to improve awareness on healthy dietary intake during pregnancy is needed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:34:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bf00c4dbd8c5497f9d3c45fd885d8d70 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:34:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-bf00c4dbd8c5497f9d3c45fd885d8d702022-12-21T23:33:51ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932022-03-012211810.1186/s12884-022-04593-3Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative studyKebede Eyasu0Lemlem Weledegerima Gebremariam1Freweini Gebrearegay2Zinabu Hadush3Afework Mulugeta4Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle UniversityAbstract Background Dietary related misconceptions during pregnancy affect the heath of mothers and their growing babies. Misconceptions vary from place to place and from community to community. Understanding of a given community’s food perceptions during pregnancy helps policy makers able to design cultural appropriate interventions. In Ethiopia, however, evidences on food beliefs and perceptions during pregnancy are limited. Therefore, this study is aimed at qualitatively assessing community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia. Methods We conducted 10 in-depth interviews (n = 10) and four focus group discussions (n = 32) among purposively selected community groups including pregnant mothers, religious leaders, and elders in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia. Data were transcribed word-for-word, translated into English, and uploaded into ATLAST ti version 7.5.1.6. Data were analyzed following the principles of thematic analysis. Line-by-line coding was applied to identify codes; identified codes were categorized based on their similarities and differences and themes were developed inductively. Results Three main themes were identified inductively; foods positively and negatively linked with pregnancy; perceived benefits and harms of alcoholic drinks during pregnancy; and religion and fasting. In this study, consumptions of animal source foods such as egg were discouraged because such foods were perceived to increase the risk of having big baby that could delay delivery. However, intakes of locally produced alcoholic drinks during pregnancy were encouraged by the local community. Furthermore, avoidance of animal source foods and meal skipping during religious fasting-periods were also common practices among pregnant mothers in the study area. Conclusions This study explored misconceptions on food intakes during pregnancy. Positive attitude towards intake of “soft” alcoholic drinks might result in alcohol related teratogenic effects. Restriction on the intakes of nutrient rich diets due to religious fasting and other misconceptions would lead to insufficient nutrient intake both to the mothers and their growing fetus. Culturally appropriate intervention to improve awareness on healthy dietary intake during pregnancy is needed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04593-3Food beliefsPregnancyQualitativeTigrayEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Kebede Eyasu Lemlem Weledegerima Gebremariam Freweini Gebrearegay Zinabu Hadush Afework Mulugeta Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Food beliefs Pregnancy Qualitative Tigray Ethiopia |
| title | Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study |
| title_full | Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study |
| title_short | Community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of Ofla Woreda, Northern Ethiopia: an explorative qualitative study |
| title_sort | community food beliefs during pregnancy in rural kebeles of ofla woreda northern ethiopia an explorative qualitative study |
| topic | Food beliefs Pregnancy Qualitative Tigray Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04593-3 |
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