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

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 andfeeding 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

Prevalence of Adolescent Pregnancy in Ganye Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Adolescent pregnancy is formally defined as a pregnancy in a young woman who has not reached her 20th birthday when the pregnancy ends, regardless of whether the woman is married or is legally an adult. The prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Ganye local government area, Adamawa state were assessed. This was linked with tribal group and religion. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, age, tribes as well as religion of the subjects. The results of the survey show that about 51% of the subjects had adolescent pregnancy, out of which 42% were Muslims, 9% Christians. The study also showed that Hausa tribe has the highest incidence of adolescent pregnancy with 84.61% followed by the Fulani tribe with 63.15% and then Chamba tribe with 43.54%. The result also revealed that most of the women were jobless, about 60% were house-wives. Reproductive health education is necessary in health centres, churches, mosque and different villages in the local government to help teach the  villagers, religious groups, traditional rulers and village heads the dangers inherent in adolescent pregnancy.Keywords: Prevalence, Adolescent, Pregnancy, Wome

Relativities of Exclusive Breastfeeding between Urban and Rural Lactating Women in Imo State

The practice of exclusive breastfeeding by urban and rural lactating women in Imo State Nigeria was studied. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, correct knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding as well as the constraints to the practice. The result of the survey show that about 91% of urban lactating women have correct knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding against the rural counterparts of 89%. Also, the survey revealed that not all that have the knowledge are practicing it in both urban (66.41%) and rural (57.78) areas. However some constraints were identified to be responsible which include poverty, lack of time, knowledge, and some do not believe that only breastmilk is enough to sustain their baby of less than 6months as well as many other excuses. Most importantly, there some of them (18% urban) and (22%) rural women that are not ready to practice in on their subsequent child birth due to their believe. This therefore calls for more intensified effort in the implementation of Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) guidelines for successful breastfeeding in all health institutions and clinics.Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, urban, rural, lactating women

Food superstition, feeding practices and nutritional anthropometry of pregnant women

The survey assessed the food superstition, feeding practices and  nutritional anthropometry of pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in university of Nigeria teaching hospital Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu state, Nigeria. This survey was embarked upon to identify the superstitions held on food during pregnancy among pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in university of Nigeria teaching hospital Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu state, to  determine their acceptance of these superstitions and to assess their  feeding practices and nutritional anthropometry. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics, food superstitions and feeding practices of the subjects. Anthropometric indices of the subjects were also assessed using weighing scale, height measuring rod and tape. The data was analyzed using the  SPSS version17 to determine the means with their standard deviations,  frequencies, and percentages as well as drew charts. The result of the  survey shows that the mean weight and height of the subjects were 77.47 ± 12.23kg and 1.66 ± 0.06m respectively. Their mean wrist circumference was 16.17 ± 0.99cm. Also, the mean frame size and mean expected  weight were 10.30 ± 0.60 and 66.97 ± 7.91 respectively. Food superstitions were held on foods like fufu, beans, snail, cocoa drink, okro, dika nut, etc. Conclusively, this research has revealed that 29% acknowledged that there is still an existence of food superstition among pregnant women that  attend ante-natal in UNTH Ituku/Ozalla and about 19% of them still  practice it. The feeding pattern of this 19% was being affected by these superstitions. Their nutritional status is certainly determined by what they eat because "we are what we eat". However, about 42% had normal  expected body weight while 58% of pregnant women were malnourished. Hence, I recommend that nutrition education be intensified in ante-natal clinics and different villages in Nigeria to help teach pregnant women on healthy food selection and importance of nutrition before, during and after pregnancy.Keywords: Food superstition, nutritional anthropometry, pregnant wome