Motivations for food prohibitions during pregnancy and their enforcement mechanisms in a rural Ghanaian district

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Amos K. Laar³  Ireneous Soyiri¹  Eric Y. Tenkorang⁴  Fred Y. Gbagbo²  Edward E. Essuman⁵  Samson K. Arzoaquoi³ 

[1] South East Asia Community Observatory (SEACO) School of Medicine & Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences MONASH University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia;Marie Stopes International, Accra, Ghana;Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana;Department of Sociology, Memorial University, St. John’s A1C 5S7, NL, Canada;Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana

关键词: Ghana;    Motivators traditional enforcement mechanisms;    Beliefs;    Pregnancy;    Food prohibitions;    Food taboos;   

Others  :  1219464
DOI  :  10.1186/s13002-015-0044-0

 received in 2015-04-07, accepted in 2015-06-27,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

Food taboos are known from virtually all human societies and pregnant women have often been targeted. We qualitatively assessed food taboos during pregnancy, its motivating factors, and enforcement mechanisms in the Upper Manya Krobo district of Ghana.

Methods

This was an exploratory cross sectional study using qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs). Sixteen FGDs were conducted. Participants were purposively selected using the maximum variation sampling technique. Tape recorded FGDs were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Malterudian systematic text condensation technique.

Results

All the participants were aware of the existence of food prohibitions and beliefs targeting pregnant women in Upper Manya Krobo. The study identified snails, rats, hot foods, and animal lungs as tabooed during pregnancy. Adherence motivators included expectation of safe and timely delivery, avoidance of “monkey babies” (deformed babies); respect for ancestors, parents, and community elders. Enforcement mechanisms identified included constant reminders by parents, family members and significant others. Stigmatization and community sanctions are deployed sparingly.

Conclusions

Food taboos and traditional beliefs targeting pregnant women exist in Upper Manya Krobo. Pregnant women are forbidden from eating snails, rats, snakes, hot foods and animal lungs. To a large extent, socio-cultural, and to a lesser, health concerns motivate the practice.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Arzoaquoi et al.

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