Sharon Iron-Segev1, Janerose Nasimiyu Lusweti2, Elizabeth Kamau-Mbuthia3, Aliza H Stark2. 1. Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science, and Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. Electronic address: sharon.segev@mail.huji.ac.il. 2. Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science, and Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. 3. Egerton University, Department of Human Nutrition, Nakuru Town, Kenya.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Geophagia, the deliberate consumption of rocks, soil, or clay, is prevalent in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Health risks associated with this behavior include parasitosis, heavy metal poisoning, nutrient deficiencies, and poor birth outcomes. This pilot study was designed to reduce geophagic practices and improve nutrition among rural Kenyan women. METHODS: The researchers used snowball sampling to recruit participants (n = 135; aged 15-49 years) from low socioeconomic areas who consumed geophagic materials. Interviews were carried out before and after a nutrition intervention implemented by trained community health volunteers. RESULTS: Nutrition education focusing on geophagia significantly (P < .001) decreased the practice in 77% of participants. Postintervention interviews also demonstrated substantial improvement in understanding the concept of making half the plate vegetables using the healthy plate model. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Nutrition education can be useful for reducing geophagia (a largely ignored, unsafe dietary behavior) and enhancing nutritional knowledge in African women.
OBJECTIVE:Geophagia, the deliberate consumption of rocks, soil, or clay, is prevalent in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. Health risks associated with this behavior include parasitosis, heavy metalpoisoning, nutrient deficiencies, and poor birth outcomes. This pilot study was designed to reduce geophagic practices and improve nutrition among rural Kenyan women. METHODS: The researchers used snowball sampling to recruit participants (n = 135; aged 15-49 years) from low socioeconomic areas who consumed geophagic materials. Interviews were carried out before and after a nutrition intervention implemented by trained community health volunteers. RESULTS: Nutrition education focusing on geophagia significantly (P < .001) decreased the practice in 77% of participants. Postintervention interviews also demonstrated substantial improvement in understanding the concept of making half the plate vegetables using the healthy plate model. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Nutrition education can be useful for reducing geophagia (a largely ignored, unsafe dietary behavior) and enhancing nutritional knowledge in African women.
Authors: Yongjian Xu; Siyu Zhu; Tao Zhang; Duolao Wang; Junteng Hu; Jianmin Gao; Zhongliang Zhou Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-01-15 Impact factor: 3.390