See the published version of this preprint at Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Mmbulaheni Ramulondi
University of Zululand Faculty of Science and Agriculture
Corresponding Author
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Indigenous practices and beliefs influence and support the behavior of women during pregnancy and childbirth in different parts of the world. Not much research has been conducted to examine whether and how cultural traditions continue to shape maternity experiences of Zulu women. The aim of this study is to establish the extent at which women in certain rural communities still adhere to traditional food taboos and practices during pregnancy, postpartum recovery and infants feeding, rather than modern medical practices.
Methods: A survey was conducted in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal between 2017 and 2020. A total of 140 women between the ages of 18 and 90 years were interviewed purposively based on their experiences in pregnancy, postpartum recovery, infant care and their willingness to share the knowledge. The interviews were conducted with school employees (teachers, cleaners and kitchen staff), workers in a cashew nut factory, and women in homesteads. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Most (64%) of the participants said that they adhered to these cultural food taboos and practices. The most common foods avoided were certain fruits (mango, orange, naartjie paw-paw, peach), butternut, eggs, sweets (sugar, juice, sweet food, and honey), chili, ice and alcohol. The most highly recommended foods during pregnancy were leafy vegetables, fruits, liver and fish. For postpartum recovery, women mostly consumed soft porridge, all fruits and vegetables, beetroot and tea. Food not allowed for children younger than two years included meat, sugar and sweets, and chewable foods.
Conclusion: There were insignificant differences on food taboos and practices between the literate and illiterate participants. Most of the food taboos they mentioned do not have scientific explanation. Restrictions from fruits (vitamins C and A) and protein consumption may result in malnutrition and deprive the unborn babies of sufficient nutrients, and the foods recommended during pregnancy and postpartum period would not provide all the essential nutrients required for successful pregnancy. However, some of the food taboos would protect women from unhealthy eating. Our findings provide a basis for developing culturally appropriate nutritional intervention programs for Zulu women with a view to provide effective nutritional counselling.
Keywords
Dietary restrictions, Cultural beliefs, Pregnancy, Infant-care, Postpartum, Northern Maputaland, Food practices, Zulu women
Loading...
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
Version 1
Posted 23 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 18 Jan, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 03 Jan, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 03 Jan, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 21 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 21 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 20 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 20 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 20 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 20 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 09 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Translational Medicine
Learn more about our company.
See the published version of this preprint at Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Mmbulaheni Ramulondi
University of Zululand Faculty of Science and Agriculture
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
Version 1
Posted 23 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major Revision
On 18 Jan, 2021
Review #2 received
Received 03 Jan, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 03 Jan, 2021
Review #1 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 21 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 21 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 21 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 20 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 20 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 20 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 20 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 09 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Translational Medicine
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
Background: Indigenous practices and beliefs influence and support the behavior of women during pregnancy and childbirth in different parts of the world. Not much research has been conducted to examine whether and how cultural traditions continue to shape maternity experiences of Zulu women. The aim of this study is to establish the extent at which women in certain rural communities still adhere to traditional food taboos and practices during pregnancy, postpartum recovery and infants feeding, rather than modern medical practices.
Methods: A survey was conducted in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal between 2017 and 2020. A total of 140 women between the ages of 18 and 90 years were interviewed purposively based on their experiences in pregnancy, postpartum recovery, infant care and their willingness to share the knowledge. The interviews were conducted with school employees (teachers, cleaners and kitchen staff), workers in a cashew nut factory, and women in homesteads. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Most (64%) of the participants said that they adhered to these cultural food taboos and practices. The most common foods avoided were certain fruits (mango, orange, naartjie paw-paw, peach), butternut, eggs, sweets (sugar, juice, sweet food, and honey), chili, ice and alcohol. The most highly recommended foods during pregnancy were leafy vegetables, fruits, liver and fish. For postpartum recovery, women mostly consumed soft porridge, all fruits and vegetables, beetroot and tea. Food not allowed for children younger than two years included meat, sugar and sweets, and chewable foods.
Conclusion: There were insignificant differences on food taboos and practices between the literate and illiterate participants. Most of the food taboos they mentioned do not have scientific explanation. Restrictions from fruits (vitamins C and A) and protein consumption may result in malnutrition and deprive the unborn babies of sufficient nutrients, and the foods recommended during pregnancy and postpartum period would not provide all the essential nutrients required for successful pregnancy. However, some of the food taboos would protect women from unhealthy eating. Our findings provide a basis for developing culturally appropriate nutritional intervention programs for Zulu women with a view to provide effective nutritional counselling.
Loading...