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Volume 8 J Community Med Health Educ, an open access journal
ISSN: 2161-0711 Public Health 2018
February 26-28, 2018
PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUTRITION
3rd World Congress on
February 26-28, 2018 London, UK
FOOD TABOO – AN UNMASKED THREAT TO HEALTHY PREGNANCY: A STUDY AMONG
PREGNANT MOTHERS LIVING IN SLUMS OF DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Nandeeta Samada, Rifat Ara Sharminb , Sadia Sultanac and Omar Fayshal Pavel d
aUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh
bHoly Family Red Crecent Medical College and Hospital, Bangladesh
cDhaka National Medical College, Bangladesh
dEast West University, Bangladesh
Food Taboo – An Unmasked Threat to Healthy Pregnancy: A Study among Pregnant Mothers Living in Slums of Dhaka,
Bangladesh aimed to investigate the prevalent food taboos andmisconception practiced by the underpriviledged community
of the capital of Bangladesh. A six month long cross-sectional study had some crucial findings which proved to be significant
public health challenges. The most common food taboos indicated that twin fruits or vegetables would cause twin pregnancy,
which has no scientific verification. Other taboos focussing plant food items were also prevalent among them. It was surprising
that some mothers believed eating fish during pregnancy will lead the child having scales and fish like head and salted or dried
fishes consumption may lead to birth of dull-headed baby. Even they believed that milk production may be hindered by prawn.
Their meat consumption was found to be limited sometimes with the belief that eating duck meat may lead the baby having
harsh voice and shockingly eggs were said to create psychological problems in baby. During the interview, some mothers
denied to feed their babies colostrum as they considered that colostrum might upset infant’s stomach. Thus protein rich foods
of high bioavailability was less consumed by majority of the studied population. Where medical science and pharamacolopgy
are advancing, the existence of superstitions, food taboos and misconceptions, illiteracy, insufficient nutrition education
and untrained community health workers are the prominent barriors to improving public health and achieving Sustanable
Development Goals (SDGs) in the underpriviledged and deprived communities of developing countries like Bangladesh.
Biography
Nandeeta Samad graduated from Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She obtained master’s degree in Nutrition and Food
Science from the same institute of Univeriity of Dhaka. Later on she started working as Research Associate in South Asia Institute for Social Transformation
(SAIST). Her contribution in Public Health research and community development brought her recognitions of Associate Fellow at Royal Commonwealth Society,
United Kingdom and Fellow at South Asian Youth Society (SAYS). She has several articles published in different international journals and portals. Presently, she
is pursuing MSc Public Health at University of East London, United Kingdom.
Nandeeta Samad et al., J Community Med Health Educ 2018, Vol 8
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0711-C1-032