Food Taboo and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Bahir Dar City, North West Ethiopia, 2021: cross-sectional study

Food taboo is any unacceptable food items in the society that arise mainly based on religious, cultural, historical and social principles. Developing countries faced the triple burden of malnutrition of under nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overeating. Food taboos have great effect on pregnant women through prohibited essential food and/or drinks. There is a paucity of study conducted in food taboo practice among pregnant women in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food taboo practice and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at Bahir Dar city, 2020. Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 421 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics. Stratified sampling technique was used to approach the study participants, and interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors. The prevalence of food taboo practices among pregnant women was 27.5% (95% CI 23.2-31.8%) at the Bahir Dar city. Most food items avoided during pregnancy were meat, honey, milk, fruit and cereals. Reasons for avoidance of these food items were plastered on the fetal head, and making fatty baby which is difficult for deliver. Maternal age 20-30 years (AOR = 8.39, 95% CI 3.49-20.14), more than 30 years [AOR = 10.56, 95% CI (2.00, 51.74)], more than 2 parity [AOR = 9.83 95% CI (2.79, 34.70)], no previous experience of the ANC visit [AOR = 2.68, 95% CI (1.26, 5.73)], and no information about nutrition [AOR = 4.55, 95% CI (1.77, 11.70)] were significantly associated with practice of food taboo. This study revealed that prevalence of food taboo is high during pregnancy. The implications of this study that needs strengthening nutrition counseling components of ANC follow-up and health professionals needs to design and implement strategic health communication intended to reorient misconceptions and myths for the pregnant women regarding the food taboo.

Automated summary

Food taboo refers to the unacceptable food items in society based on religious, cultural, historical, and social principles. Developing countries face the triple burden of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overeating. A study conducted among pregnant women in Ethiopia found a high prevalence of food taboo practices, with meat, honey, milk, fruit, and cereals being the most avoided items. Factors associated with food taboo practice included maternal age, parity, and lack of previous experience of antenatal care visits and nutrition information. This study highlights the need to strengthen nutrition counseling and health communication to address misconceptions and myths about food taboo among pregnant women.