International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) |Volume IX, Issue X, October 2022|ISSN 2321-2705
Pica Practice Among Childbearing Women in Kwara State Nigeria
Olukemi Ogungbamigbe (Ph.D.) 1, & Anthony Ogbonna UCHE (Ph.D.)2
1Chief lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria.
2Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Abstract: Pica is a phenomenon that is common among childbearing women and children. This study however, investigated the knowledge, awareness and practice among childbearing women in Kwara State, Nigeria. This study was designed as a descriptive survey with the questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Anchored on the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) model, it studied 400 childbearing women in Kwara State. The findings indicate that 55% of the women had knowledge of pica while 48.50% had experienced pica practice. The major period of pica practice was during pregnancy (59.5%). The study recommends sensitization of women to the pica practice and the need to take steps to minimize the rate because of the dangers it poses to a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
Keywords: pica, childbearing, disorder, health risk
I. INTRODUCTION
In the world today, there are several challenges confronting mankind. The health challenge, however, seems to be the most persistent. One such health-related challenge is pica disorder. Pica disorder is a health risk that is affecting the childbearing population, especially women during pregnancy. This disorder has not gained much attention like other health-related challenges such as HIV/AIDs, breast and ovarian cancer, tuberculosis, malaria, etcetera. Pica which is also described as a corrupt appetite derives from “magpie,” a Latin word that refers to a species of bird that feeds on anything in sight. Pica is associated with the “manifestation of false or craving appetite and deliberate ingestion of bizarre selection of foods, non-nutritive substances, and non-food items (Parry-Jones, 1991). Those believed to be at high risk of pica disorder are pregnant women and unborn child whose life is endangered as a result of the would-be mother’s strange craving and feeding (Singh, 2013; Parry-Jones & Parry-Jones, 1992).
Pica disorder represents a real health risk ranging from minor disorders to some severe health conditions (Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders, 2015; Singh, 2013; Parry-Jones & Parry-Jones, 1992). American Psychiatric Association (1994) describes pica as eating characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive substances for at least one month, at an age when the behaviour is considered inappropriate. Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders (2015) describes the health risks associated with pica such as lead poisoning, perforation of bowels and infectious diseases, depending on the substance ingested. Gastric pain may result from the eating of sand or soil while chewing ice blocks, results in abnormal wearing of