Nutritive potential of some ‘edible’ soils in Blantyre city, Malawi

Lakudzala, Deliwe Dinah; Khonje, J J

doi:10.4314/mmj.v23i2.70746

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Iron deficiency may be less prevalent in rural areas as rural residents have better access to diverse and more nutritious food sources; foods rich in iron such as eggs, leafy green vegetables and in our lake-shore population, fish; and fruits containing Vitamin C, enhancing iron absorption. Rural women may be more likely to access the mineral-rich clay pellets traditionally consumed during pregnancy [37]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and risk factors for anemia severity and type in Malawian men and women: urban and rural differences

Adamu

Crampin

Kayuni

et al. 2017

Popul Health Metrics

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BackgroundThe global burden of anemia is large especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV is common and lifestyles are changing rapidly with urbanization. The effects of these changes are unknown. Studies of anemia usually focus on pregnant women or children, among whom the burden is greatest. We describe prevalence and risk factors for anemia among rural and urban men and women of all ages in Malawi.MethodsWe analyzed data from a population-wide cross-sectional survey of adults conducted in two sites, Karonga (rural) and Lilongwe (urban), commencing in May 2013. We used multinomial logistic regression models, stratified by sex to identify risk factors for mild and moderate-to-severe anemia.ResultsAnemia prevalence was assessed among 8,926 men (age range 18–100 years) and 14,978 women (age range: 18–103 years). Weighted prevalence levels for all, mild, and moderate-to-severe anemia were 8.2, 6.7 and 1.2% in rural men; 19.4, 12.0 and 7.4% in rural women; 5.9, 5.1 and 0.8% in urban men; and 23.4, 13.6 and 10.1% in urban women. Among women, the odds of anemia were higher among urban residents and those with higher socioeconomic status. Increasing age was associated with higher anemia prevalence in men. Among both men and women, HIV infection was a consistent risk factor for severity of anemia, though its relative effect was stronger on moderate-to-severe anemia.ConclusionsThe drivers of anemia in this population are complex, include both socioeconomic and biological factors and are affecting men and women differently. The associations with urban lifestyle and HIV indicate opportunities for targeted intervention.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and risk factors for anemia severity and type in Malawian men and women: urban and rural differences

Adamu

Crampin

Kayuni

et al. 2017

Popul Health Metrics

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“…[50] reported that acidic geophagic materials are more preferred by pregnant women in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Nigeria. The preference for acidic materials is traditionally accepted as capable of preventing excess saliva secretion and reducing nausea during pregnancy [51,52]. According to [53] slightly acidic geophagic materials aid in gastric juice neutralization.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studied samples presented mean = 1744 mg/kg in sand, and 2837 mg/kg in silty fractions. Zinc is described as beneficial in several physiological activities, including synthesis and degradation of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as testicular maturation and wound healing [52]. Excessive and prolonged Zn intake can cause anemia and affect the immune system [79].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geophagic Materials Characterization and Potential Impact on Human Health: The Case Study of Maputo City (Mozambique)

2022

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This study aims to characterize and estimate risk assessment associated with geophagic materials consumption in Maputo city (Mozambique). Samples were collected in extraction mines, unprepared and prepared ones, and in Maputo markets. Fractions < 2 mm (total consumed material) and <63 μm were analyzed to determine pH, EC, OM, chemical composition (XRF), and mineral phases present (XRD). The results revealed pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, and electrical conductivity ranging from 13 to 47 μS/cm in mine unprepared and prepared samples, while 264–465 μS/cm in sampled sold in markets. Organic matter content was <2.76%, except in one sample (8.14%), suggesting a potential risk of containing bacteria. Textural analysis revealed that sand-size particles were more representative in all samples (57.2–93.02%). Mineralogical phases identified in the consumed sample were ranked quartz (>60%) > Fe oxides/hidroxides > phyllosilicates (micas and kaolinite) > feldspars, suggesting a risk of dental enamel damage and perforation of the sigmoid colon. The chemical concentration of some elements was higher than recommended daily dose, suggesting a potential risk. However, geophagic materials’ chemical composition does not pose a carcinogenic risk.

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“…Geophagic materials are commonly consumed based on several reasons, including nutrients supplementation to compensate the deficiency of some essential elements such as Fe, Ca, Mg, Zn in the human diet (Kambunga et al, 2019a , 2019b ; Lakudzala & Khonje, 2011 ); medicinal properties used as remedy to cure some common illnesses in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (e.g., diarrhoea and constipation) (Ekosse et al, 2017 ; Fosso-Kankeu et al, 2015 ); and to ease cravings and morning sicknesses as part of cultural and traditional beliefs among pregnant women (Kambunga et al, 2019a , 2019b ; Msibi, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical composition and potential health risks of geophagic materials: an example from a rural area in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Mouri

Malepe

Candeias

2023

Environ Geochem Health

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Geophagy is a common practice among rural population of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality area in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Although, the practice might be beneficial to the health of the consumers, its negative effects could overshadow the positive effects and might lead to detrimental health issues. The present work sought to investigate the geochemical composition as well as pH and organic matter (OM) content of geophagic materials commonly consumed in the study area. Furthermore, assessment of the potential health risk of the materials on geophagic individuals was also considered. Twelve samples were collected in the study area and analysed by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for major and trace elements composition. The results showed higher concentrations of non-essential elements (e.g., As, Cr, Pb) than the proposed recommended daily standards intake, suggesting a potential health risk. The alkaline nature (pH 6.80 to 9.22) of the studied samples might affect the bioacessibility of some essential elements. Furthermore, the OM content (> 0.7%) observed in some of the studied samples may retain pathogenic micro-organisms detrimental to health. Although As and Cr presented a low bioaccessible fraction (< 16.0%), health risk assessment revealed that their concentrations represented a hazard (HQ > 1) and might induce non-carcinogenic health threats to geophagic individuals. Based on the geochemical analysis, pH and OM content as well as health risk assessment findings, the studied geophagic materials are not considered suitable for human consumption. The practice should therefore be discouraged amongst the population in the study area to avoid possible detrimental health issues.

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Nutritive potential of some ‘edible’ soils in Blantyre city, Malawi

Abstract: BackgroundPregnant women in Malawi consume soil, but the nutritive potential of these soils is uncertain.

Cited by 8 publications

References 11 publications

Prevalence and risk factors for anemia severity and type in Malawian men and women: urban and rural differences

Prevalence and risk factors for anemia severity and type in Malawian men and women: urban and rural differences

Geophagic Materials Characterization and Potential Impact on Human Health: The Case Study of Maputo City (Mozambique)

Geochemical composition and potential health risks of geophagic materials: an example from a rural area in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

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