Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41593435›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026

Dietary knowledge, beliefs and taboos affecting pregnancy outcomes: a qualitative study in Jimma, South-West Ethiopia.

Abonesh Taye Kumsa, Wanzahun Godana Boynito, Dessalegn Tamiru, Fanta Assefa Disasa, Tsinuel Girma, Stefaan De Henauw, Souheila Abbeddou

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Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Abonesh Taye KumsaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. abonesh.taye@ju.edu.et.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3588-3387
Wanzahun Godana BoynitoSchool of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4380-0601
Dessalegn TamiruDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9534-031X
Fanta Assefa DisasaDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Tsinuel GirmaClinical and Nutrition Research Center (JUCAN), Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Stefaan De HenauwDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4141-5432
Souheila AbbeddouDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1363-0170

Funding

Global Minds Fund of Ghent University GRANT GMF.RSS.2022.0006.01
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundA balanced diet during pregnancy is essential for optimal maternal and foetal health outcomes. However, food taboos can influence dietary practices among pregnant women, often limiting the intake of nutrient-rich foods and negatively affecting health and pregnancy outcomes. In Ethiopia, like many other low- and middle-income countries where nutritional transitions are underway, evidence remains limited regarding the knowledge, beliefs and practices surrounding food taboos during pregnancy and their potential link to adverse outcomes such as metabolic disorders. This study explored the knowledge, beliefs and practices of pregnant women, relatives, community health workers and specialists regarding dietary habits and food taboos, and examined their implications for pregnancy outcomes in Jimma, South-West Ethiopia.

methodsA qualitative study using a generic approach was conducted with 54 purposively selected participants. Data were collected through ten key informant in-depth interviews with health professionals, four in-depth interviews with elderly individuals, and six focus group discussions with pregnant women and husbands/fathers. Data were analysed using the thematic framework analysis method using NVivo 15 software.

resultsFour main themes emerged from the analysis: maternal diet and cultural beliefs; dietary patterns during pregnancy and determining factors; perspectives on obesity as an indicator of metabolic disorders and its associated adverse pregnancy outcomes; and health promotion strategies to address the impact of food taboos on maternal and foetal health. The findings show that pregnant women commonly adhere to food taboos, while spouses and elders often play a reinforcing role, encouraging compliance due to fears of pregnancy-related complications. Pregnant women do not change their diets to meet nutritional needs but modify them based on cultural food taboos, aversions, and cravings. These taboos persist through generational transmission and social learning, deeply embedded in traditional beliefs and community norms.

conclusionsThis study shows that pregnant women’s diets are often shaped more by cultural taboos and family influence than by nutritional needs. These beliefs, reinforced by husbands and elders, are deeply rooted in tradition and passed down through generations. Addressing this requires community-based nutrition education that respects local values while promoting healthier practices for maternal and foetal wellbeing.

Indexed as

DietFeeding BehaviorHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticePregnancy OutcomePregnant PeopleTabooAdultEthiopiaFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedObesityPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsAdverse health outcomesEthiopiaFood tabooHealth professionalsPregnancy

Identifiers

PMID41593435
PMCPMC12918144

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.