Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2024 Oct 21;12(20):2090.
doi: 10.3390/healthcare12202090.

Health-Related Experiences of Geophagia Among Women of Reproductive Age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Mohora Feida Malebatja  1 , Moreoagae Bertha Randa  1 , Mpata Mathildah Mokgatle  1 , Oluwafemi Omoniyi Oguntibeju  2
Affiliations

Health-Related Experiences of Geophagia Among Women of Reproductive Age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Mohora Feida Malebatja et al. Healthcare (Basel). .

Abstract

Background/objectives: Women of reproductive age are reported to be the largest population that practises geophagia. The short-term and long-term health related conditions originating from the practise of geophagia are often not understood by geophagic women of reproductive age. This study has explored the health-related experiences of geophagia among women of reproductive age of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province.

Methods: This was a qualitative study design following inductive thematic content analysis. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data using an interview guide and audio record. Data collection took place in 2023.

Results: Mental health disorders, pregnancy complications, appendicitis, cancers, breathing complications, fatigue, premature deaths, worms, piles, and nutrients deficiencies were reported as some of the health-related challenges and diseases experienced by women of reproductive age of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province resulting from the practise of geophagia.

Conclusions: The practise of geophagia was associated with various negative health outcomes. The reproductive health statuses of women of reproductive age were negatively impacted by the practise of geophagia affecting maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities.

Keywords: Tshwane District; diseases; experiences; geophagia; health related; iron deficiency; women of reproductive age.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest with respect to authorship and publication of this research.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Dorsey A.F., Miller E.M. Revisiting geophagy: An evolved sickness behavior to microbiome-mediated gastrointestinal inflammation. Evol. Anthropol. Issues News Rev. 2023;32:325–335. doi: 10.1002/evan.22004. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Molale T.L., Eze P.N. Health and Medical Geography in Africa: Methods, Applications and Development Linkages. Springer; Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany: 2023. Human geophagy (soil ingestion): Biochemical functions and potential health implications; pp. 367–385.
    1. Davies T.C. Current status of research and gaps in knowledge of geophagic practices in Africa. Front. Nutr. 2023;9:1084589. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1084589. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Al Nasser Y., Muco E., Alsaad A.J. Pica. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island, FL, USA: 2023. - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization . Clinical Descriptions and Diagnostic Requirements for ICD-11 Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland: 2024.

LinkOut - more resources