Food Taboos, Myths and Nutritional Knowledge Influencing Dietary Patterns of Pregnant Women in Selected Primary Health Centres in Ile-Ife.

Abstract

Background: Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is essential for maternal and foetal wellbeing. Yet, in many African settings, unfounded beliefs about certain foods lead women to restrict nutrient-rich foods. Objective: To identify food taboos, myths and nutritional knowledge and their influence on the dietary patterns of pregnant women attending selected primary health centres in Ile-Ife. Methodology: A hospital-based, mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted, combining a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with a focus group discussion. 100 pregnant women attending antenatal care were purposively drawn from two health care centres through a two-stage sampling approach, while six respondents participated in the focus group discussion conducted in the Yoruba language. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS version 21; recordings from qualitative data were transcribed, translated, and analysed thematically. Results: About 28% of respondents reported factoring restrictive beliefs into their food choices, most commonly avoiding snail, banana, okro, milk, bush meat, plantain, and Bournvita, giving reasons such as infant drooling, big babies, or prolonged labour. The focus group discussion session reinforced that avoidance was often driven by inherited beliefs and enforced by spouses or older relatives. Conclusion/ Recommendations: Snail and “esuru” emerged as the most prominent restricted foods among this population; they are avoided due to fear of complications during delivery. It is recommended that nutrition awareness in antenatal care services move beyond generic nutrition talks to confront specific, named misconceptions directly, and actively involve spouses and elder family members in counselling sessions.