Awareness on the significance and risks associated with PICA among pregnant women attending clinic at selected health facilities in Nyamagana District
- Mwanza, Tanzania: Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] 14.09.2022
- vii; 25 Pages Includes References and Appendices
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The term pica has been used to describe the condition of aversion to eat non-nutritional materials. The pica has negative impacts concerning to mother and fetus carried into womb while the craving to eat nutritional substances has significance regarding to physiological needs during pregnancy. the prevalence of pica among pregnant women in high-risk groups declined between the 1950s to1970s but now remains steady
METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study used, questionnaires involved one time interaction with the desired group of people (pregnant women) and collect information regarding awareness of the practice of pica, what signified and knowledge of its possible harms.
RESULTS: 100% participants enrolled among all 64% said pica is good, 54% reported to consume PICA, with the most of them about96% believed that it relieves nausea.with the findings to low level of awareness among mother that corelated with level of education p<0.05
CONCLUSION: there is low awareness among women. With more than 50% consumed PICA while the main reason was to relieve nausea. Although most of the consumer know the danger of pica to be worm infestation leaving other hazards unknowing.
RECOMMENDATION: It’s highly pleased to seek the information about PICA and to advice the ministry to pronounce more about PICA so most women can be informed.