The Effect of Dietary Habits and Taboos on Pregnancy Outcomes among Women in Mafinga Town Council

Jackson Mchiwa, Carolye Charles Ruhembe, & Laurent Kaburire
St John’s University of Tanzania
Email: jacksonmchiwa255@gmail.com

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of dietary habits and taboos on pregnancy outcomes among women attending antenatal care (ANC) services at Mafinga Town Council. A case study design was employed, targeting a sample of 181 pregnant women, simple random and purposive sampling methods were used. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and focus group discussions and analyzed using SPSS software version 25.0. The results indicate that certain culturally ingrained dietary restrictions, though significant, prevent the consumption of foods rich in essential micronutrients critical for maternal health and fetal development. Notably, 66.85% of respondents reported that their dietary habits and food restrictions affected their pregnancy outcomes. The study further revealed that maize was the most frequently consumed staple, reported by 85% of participants, while 65% regularly consumed rice. In contrast, only 14% of respondents consumed periodically meat, and a mere 9% consumed milk. Financial constraints were a significant factor, with 52% of participants unable to afford their preferred foods, and 54% identifying cost as a major barrier to a balanced diet. Although 69% of participants had consumed vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables the day before the survey, 31% had not. The study found factors were found to influence food choices, leading to suboptimal dietary intake among pregnant women. The study concluded that local dietary customs, coupled with economic constraints, contribute to the habitual consumption of starchy foods, thereby impacting the nutritional status of pregnant women in Mafinga Town Council.