Nutritional beliefs among rural Nigerian mothers.

At Shao, a rural community in Nigeria, 730 women were asked to state their awareness of pregnancy symptoms and nutritional beliefs during pregnancy. Among the participants, 92.3% mentioned the stoppage of menstruation while 81.9% recognized breast enlargement, 16.2% considered nausea and vomiting, and 5.3% mentioned the darkening of the nipples. Specific foods of the protein rich meat group, particularly rabbit Oryctolagus capensis was avoided during pregnancy because of sociocultural beliefs. Energy-giving starch-rich food items were most frequently regarded as good for the body. Over 50% of the respondents considered the roots, the starchy food group, and the fruits and vegetables group as most nutritious during pregnancy. Only 38.8% of the respondents met the recommended weekly weight gain standard and 61.2% did not. It was recommended that a statewide classification of food taboos in Kwara State should be undertaken to assist the services provided by primary healthcare workers. The need to intensify health counseling in antenatal care clinics was highlighted.