Food taboos had no effect on their nutrient intake, since only 5-11% of women ... taboos. Although most women gave their children and husbands preference in ...
J HEALTH POPUL NUTR 2001 Dec;19(4):320-330 320 J Health Popul Nutr Dec 2001 ISSN 1606-0997 $ 5.00+0.20
Determinants of Health and Nutritional Status of Rural Nigerian Women H.N. Ene-Obong1, G.I. Enugu1, and A.C. Uwaegbute2 1
Department of Home Science and Nutrition, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and 2 Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Nigeria ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to determine the effects of socioeconomic and cultural factors on the health and nutritional status of 300 women of childbearing age in two rural farming communities in Enugu State, Nigeria. The women were engaged in farming, trading, and teaching. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data-collection methods. The study involved focus-group discussions (FGDs), interviews using a questionnaire, measurement of food/nutrient intake, assessment of activity patterns, anthropometry, and observations of clinical signs of malnutrition. The better-educated women had higher incomes than those with little or no education. Poor education was mainly attributed to lack of monetary support by parents (34%), marriage while in school (27%), and sex discrimination (21%). The teachers had significantly (p
