Attitude,Knowledge and Practices in regard to geophagia among pregnant women in Berekum Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana.

Abstract

Background; This research was carried out in Berekum Mnunicipality in the Bono region of Ghana to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women with regards to geophagia in Berekum and to determine the factors which can influence the knowledge, attitudes and practices of geophagia among pregnant women.Basic design of the study; Utilizing a cross sectional descriptive survey was the research design. Sampling technique; A non-probability Convenience sampling technique was used to select 400 women attending antenatal clinic at Berekum hospitals and clinics.Data collection tool; A validated structured questionnaires were used as means for data collection for the respondents using convenience sampling method. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. About 379 (94%) of the questionnaire was filled and returned.Major findings; The major findings were that, 53% of the total number of respondents said Geophagia poses health benefits during pregnancy, while 47% said it does not.The findings of this study accentuate the fact that although majority 84% (n=318) of the respondents are aware that pregnant women are more vulnerable to geophagia than other persons as against 16% (n=61) who are not. This arguably indicates a high awareness of the association between pregnancy and geophagia disorder among the respondents. Due to the fact that pregnancy come with a lot of extreme physiological changes the following reasons were ascertained; craving (50.7%), smelling (38.2%), cultural practices (33.1%), to stop nausea and vomiting (32.4%) and some also consume pica as a food substance as life giving (10.3%). Also, 23% (n=86) of the respondents are aware that geophagia disorder is dangerous to the health of the pregnant mother, while 77% (293) are not aware of this whilst 28% (n=109) of the respondents are aware that geophagia disorder is dangerous for the child in the womb, while 69% (n=262) are not aware. This suggests that, majority of the respondents do not view geophagia disorder as constituting health risk to both the mother and the child. Most of the respondents consume earthy-materials twice daily leading to less of its complications being exhibited. It is remarkable that up to 36.7% failed to seek medical attention upon experiencing geophagia disorder. When the respondents that gave no answer were eliminated, those that do not sought for medical attention was 69.5%, which is the majority. This high percentage might have resulted from the fact that most of the respondents did not appreciate the risk posed by geophagia disorder to the health of the mother and child Conclusions; The major opinions advanced by the respondents according to reasons that halt the indulgence of geophagia practices conclude to the fact that, a solution to these factors should be, Calling upon Public health authorities to work closely with community groups so they design bottom up, culturally competent interventions. It is recommended that follow up cohort studies can be done on the consumers to check whether they were only ingesting soil during pregnancy or have continued after giving birth. And also, educating and creating of awareness to women in their early stages of pregnancy on the dangers of soil consumption and also reinforce it anytime they come for antenatal visit in order to facilitate its full indulgence in prenatal/antenatal care