Vol. 9, Issue 7 (2020)

Author(s):
Rashmi Misra, Diptimayee Jena and Snehalata Nanda

Abstract:
Pregnancy and lactation require supplementary nutrition for a mother. But the situation becomes more complicated when a pregnant or a lactating woman follows or forced to undergo certain dietary restrictions traditionally. In order to identify food restrictions and social taboos among the tribal community during pregnancy and early part of lactation, the study was to find out the association between different parameters(Age, Education and BMI) with Food taboos among the subjects residing in the rural area of 4 villages (Kultiguda, Pedaguda, M. Petesu and Sana chandili) of Rayagada district. Cluster sampling method was used to select the villages and Purposive sampling method was used to select the respondents (pregnant and lactating women). Out of 80 samples, 20 pregnant and 60 lactating women were undertaken from the above mentioned 4 villages of Rayagada district. Information about the socio-demographic variables of the respondents, food taboos and superstitions during pregnancy and lactating period was obtained by personal interview through the structured questionnaire from the respondents and the old ladies of the family. Same food items were found restricted in both pregnancy and lactation i.e. Colocasia, prawn and dry fish were avoided by same percentage (81.25%) women, brinjal was avoided by 76.25% women, leafy vegetables were avoided by 67.5% women, mutton was avoided by 56.25% women, ripe papaya and ripe jackfruit were avoided by 55% women and egg was avoided by 43.75% women.