Browsing by Author "Sackey, Deborah Sakua"

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    Geophagia, Nutrient Intakes and Possible Health Outcome of Women with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension - A Case-Control Study
    (NOVEMBER, 2017) Sackey, Deborah Sakua
    Calcium is a major nutrient implicated in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Aside dietary sources of calcium and other essential nutrients required to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, the practice of geophagia (consumption of soil/clay) has been reported to provide calcium needed to prevent hypertension during pregnancy. These soils are shown to also contain significant amount of lead and other heavy metals which have been associated with hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between geophagia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and assess the dietary intakes and health outcomes in participants. This study was a case-control involving 30 women with PIH without proteinuria and 70 normotensive pregnant women. Percentage intakes of macronutrients for normotensives were within the Adequate Macronutrient Distribution Range and PIH group recorded higher intakes of carbohydrate (72.75±16.16 %), lower intakes of protein (9.77±5.61 %) and fat (17.15±11.99%). Sources of protein among PIH were mainly from cereal based products. Dietary calcium intakes in both groups were lower than recommended (˂1,000 mg/day). Geophagia and energy drink intake was not significantly associated with PIH. Coffee intake significantly increased the risk of hypertension (OR, 4.10; 95% CI 2.10-8.00; p=0.004) while food supplementation during pregnancy significantly reduced the risk of PIH (OR, 0.33; 95% CI 0.17-0.61; p=0.017). Hypertensives recorded impaired fasting blood glucose (5.77±1.71 mmol/L, p=0.051) higher levels of urea (3.60±1.29 mmol/L, p=0.000) and creatinine (382.67±11.17 μmol/L, p=0.000). There was no significant difference in serum calcium and ferritin levels in both groups. Women with PIH practicing geophagia recorded significantly low levels of haemoglobin (8.35±1.91 g/dL, p=0.026), calcium (7.05±1.05 mg/dL, p=0.047) and ferritin (14.89±3.73 ng/dL, p=0.000) than those who did not. The population of pregnant women in this study had considerably low intakes of energy and nutrients. There is the need for measures to ensure adequate maternal nutrition for a positive health and pregnancy outcome.
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    Geophagia, nutrition and health of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension
    (African Health Sciences, 2018-11) Sackey, Deborah Sakua; Larbie, Christopher; Mensah, Faustina O
    Background: Calcium is a major nutrient implicated in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Aside dietary sources, geophagia has been reported to provide calcium needed to prevent PIH. These soils are shown to contain significant amount of heavy metals which have been associated with hypertension. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between geophagia and PIH, assess the dietary intakes and health of participants. Methods: This study was a case-control involving 30 women with PIH and 70 normotensive pregnant women. Results: Geophagia was not significantly associated with PIH. Women with PIH practicing geophagia recorded significantly low levels of haemoglobin, calcium and ferritin. Hypertensives recorded impaired fasting blood glucose (5.77±1.71mmol/L, p=0.051), higher levels of urea (3.60±1.29 mmol/L, p=0.000) and creatinine (382.67±11.66 µmol/L, p=0.000). Percentage intakes of macronutrients for normotensives were within the Adequate Macronutrient Distribution Range and PIH group recorded higher intakes of carbohydrate (72.75±16.16 %), lower protein (9.77±5.61 %) and fat (17.15±11.99%). Dietary calcium intakes in both groups were lower than recommended (< 1,000 mg/day). Conclusion: In this study, geophagia during pregnancy is not directly associated with PIH but is detrimental to maternal health. The pregnant women in this study had considerably low intakes of energy and nutrients. There is a need for measures to ensure adequate maternal nutrition for a positive health and pregnancy outcomes.