Abstract:

Background: Geophagy practices is a type of pica which involves deliberate consumption of earth or soil-like substances such as clay. The practice is observed worldwide, in Tanzania pregnant women eat ground soil or soil sticks (Pemba) sold in local shops/markets od which contains metallic ions. Although some metallic ions play key roles in human physiology, most of trace metals are unnecessary and maybe hazardous to human. This study determines prevalence and associated factors of Geophagy practice among HIV positive pregnant women at care and treatment clinic at Bugando medical centre (BMC).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital based study that involved of 59 HIV infected pregnant women attending care and treatment clinic at Bugando medical centre from August to September 2018. Social demographic and other relevant information were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analysed by SPSS version 20.0 software as per objectives.

Results: It was revealed that 40 (67.8%) of HIV positive women practice Geophagy, among them 37 (92.5%) purchased the soil sticks (Pemba) from local shops/markets and 26 (65%) ate once to three times per day. HIV positive pregnant women mostly (n=25, 62.5%) started eating soil after knowing their sero status. The study found that HIV positive pregnant women eat soil because of good taste and smell (n=25, 39.7%), craving & hyper-salivation (n=22, 35%), prevent morning sickness (n=8, 12.7%). Geophagy practices were significantly not associated with level of education (p=0.625), current CD4+ count (p=0.407) and viral load (p=0.351) existed.

Conclusion: The prevalence of Geophagy practice in HIV positive pregnant women attending care and treatment clinic at Bugando medical centre is high (67.8%) eat soil because of craving and hyper-salivation, good taste and smell and prevention of morning sickness. Geophagy practices is not associated with level of education, current CD4+ count and viral load.