Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London
Background/Aims: Scientific evidence points to the health risks associated with clay ingestion during pregnancy. However, little is known about African migrant women’s self-reported adverse health experiences from the practice, as well as adapted mitigating measures. This study aimed to explore the...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Mark Allen Group
2024
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| Online Access: | https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/10044/1/AdverseHealthExperiences%20-CI.pdf |
| _version_ | 1824446525817749504 |
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| author | Madziva, Cathrine Njoroge, Kezia Chinouya, Martha |
| author_facet | Madziva, Cathrine Njoroge, Kezia Chinouya, Martha |
| author_sort | Madziva, Cathrine |
| collection | LMU |
| description | Background/Aims: Scientific evidence points to the health risks associated with clay ingestion during pregnancy. However, little is known about African migrant women’s self-reported adverse health experiences from the practice, as well as adapted mitigating measures. This study aimed to explore these experiences to diversify the knowledge base.
Methods: This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach. Data were gathered from a purposive sample of 30 participants through individual semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed thematically.
Results: Self-reported adverse health experiences were mainly constipation and iron deficiency anaemia. Remedies applied included increased fibre and water intake, a traditional herb-clay mixture and medical interventions in the form of constipation pumps and laxatives. Anaemia resulted in blood transfusion and iron infusion in some cases.
Conclusions: Despite the known risks or drawbacks, many women continued to ingest clay during pregnancy, as it was a traditional or cultural practice in their communities. This could cause effects severe enough to merit medical intervention. Implications for practice: Community-led interventions in collaboration with public health authorities and practitioners that engage women regarding the potential health risks for mothers and their babies should be prioritised. |
| first_indexed | 2025-02-19T01:16:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | oai:repository.londonmet.ac.uk:10044 |
| institution | London Metropolitan University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-02-19T01:16:33Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publisher | Mark Allen Group |
| record_format | eprints |
| spelling | oai:repository.londonmet.ac.uk:100442025-02-18T09:39:29Z https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/10044/ Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London Madziva, Cathrine Njoroge, Kezia Chinouya, Martha 610 Medicine & health Background/Aims: Scientific evidence points to the health risks associated with clay ingestion during pregnancy. However, little is known about African migrant women’s self-reported adverse health experiences from the practice, as well as adapted mitigating measures. This study aimed to explore these experiences to diversify the knowledge base. Methods: This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach. Data were gathered from a purposive sample of 30 participants through individual semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed thematically. Results: Self-reported adverse health experiences were mainly constipation and iron deficiency anaemia. Remedies applied included increased fibre and water intake, a traditional herb-clay mixture and medical interventions in the form of constipation pumps and laxatives. Anaemia resulted in blood transfusion and iron infusion in some cases. Conclusions: Despite the known risks or drawbacks, many women continued to ingest clay during pregnancy, as it was a traditional or cultural practice in their communities. This could cause effects severe enough to merit medical intervention. Implications for practice: Community-led interventions in collaboration with public health authorities and practitioners that engage women regarding the potential health risks for mothers and their babies should be prioritised. Mark Allen Group 2024-11-21 Article PeerReviewed text en https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/10044/1/AdverseHealthExperiences%20-CI.pdf Madziva, Cathrine, Njoroge, Kezia and Chinouya, Martha (2024) Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London. British Journal of Midwifery, 33. ISSN 0969-4900 (In Press) https://doi.org/10.12968 |
| spellingShingle | 610 Medicine & health Madziva, Cathrine Njoroge, Kezia Chinouya, Martha Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London |
| title | Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London |
| title_full | Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London |
| title_fullStr | Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London |
| title_short | Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London |
| title_sort | clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among african women in london |
| topic | 610 Medicine & health |
| url | https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/10044/1/AdverseHealthExperiences%20-CI.pdf |
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