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Clay ingestion adverse health experiences during pregnancy among African women in London

02 March 2025
Research
02 March 2025
Volume 33 · Issue 3

Abstract

Background/Aims

Scientific evidence points to the health risks associated with clay ingestion during pregnancy. However, little is known about African migrant women's self-reported adverse health experiences from the practice, as well as adapted mitigating measures. This study aimed to explore these experiences to diversify the knowledge base.

Methods

This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach. Data were gathered from a purposive sample of 30 participants through individual semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed thematically.

Results

Self-reported adverse health experiences were mainly constipation and iron deficiency anaemia. Remedies applied included increased fibre and water intake, a traditional herb-clay mixture and medical interventions in the form of constipation pumps and laxatives. Anaemia resulted in blood transfusion and iron infusion in some cases.

Conclusions

Despite the known risks or drawbacks, many women continued to ingest clay during pregnancy, as it was a traditional or cultural practice in their communities. This could cause effects severe enough to merit medical intervention.

Implications for practice

Community-led interventions in collaboration with public health authorities and practitioners that engage women regarding the potential health risks for mothers and their babies should be prioritised.

Globally, 295 000 women die annually as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications, with 95% of these deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries (World Health Organization (WHO), 2019; UNICEF, 2020). The majority of these deaths are preventable, and sustainable development goals 3.1 and 3.2 aim to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100000 live births and end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030 (WHO, 2021a). Currently, there are indications that the world may fall short of meeting the target for reducing maternal deaths (WHO, 2021a).

Pregnant women's nutrition and diet are vital, as they significantly impact children's physical and mental development throughout life (Likhar and Patil, 2022). In particular, the nutritional practices of a pregnant woman during the first trimester of her pregnancy impact the first 1000 days of the pregnancy and a child's future health, including the infant's immune system, organ development and metabolism (Likhar and Patil, 2022). In this regard, the practice of clay ingestion by pregnant women, known as geophagy (Abrahams and Parsons, 1996), is of great significance in public health. However, little attention has been given to this practice (Mireku et al, 2018; Davies, 2023).

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Adverse health experiences
African migrant women
Clay ingestion
Pregnancy