A SQUATTER SETTLEMENT : EATING HABITS AMONG POOR PREGNANT WOMEN

The study was conducted at squatter settlements of Karachi to portray changes in eating habits of women during pregnancy with particular reference to aversions and cravings. Conducted a cross sectional study at 2 field ... [ view full abstract ]

The study was conducted at squatter settlements of Karachi to portray changes in eating habits of women during pregnancy with particular reference to aversions and cravings.

Conducted a cross sectional study at 2 field sites. Survey was conducted by administering 100 pregnant women and at homes of community women by using the questionnaire. A convenient sampling method was used.


The study reveals that about 53.8% of the women has experienced a change in their eating habits during pregnancy. About 48.7% were having decrease in quantity of food intake, major cause was nausea and among 43.6% psychological food perversion was recorded. 5.1% expressed about an increase in their appetite and 10.3% reported craving for non food items during pregnancy.

Craving for certain items was common among women, like 5.1% reported for for clay eating, 12.8% for ice, 5.1% for pickles and 23.1% for beetle-nuts and gutka. About 48.7% women expressed that they did not liked certain foods during pregnancy such as meat (17.9%), tea (7.7%), fish (7.7%), milk (5.1%) and other items (10.3%). 12.8% of the women avoided taking sour & spicy food, 25.6% followed the doctor suggested dietary plans and 74.4% reported that they did not followed any dietary plan.

A baseline survey conducted by a community based program at the same sites reveals that the prevalence of anemia among the women of CBA was about 40%. In pregnancy anemia often become moderate to severe. The study results show that about 75% women do not follow any dietary plan and may not have proper nutrition. There is need to have proper antenatal care and counseling about balanced diet to the women to avoid risk factors of pregnancy.

Key words: pregnancy, eating habits, craving, anemia, clay eating, beetle-nuts, dietary plan, squatter settlement.