Table 4 Pica practices of the pregnant women (n = 86)
Variable | Frequency | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Trimester of starting pica | ||
First | 81 | 94.2 |
Second | 4 | 4.6 |
Third | 1 | 1.2 |
What respondents eat as a form of pica | ||
Chewing stick/wooden sponge | 74 | 86.0 |
Cola nuts | 15 | 17.4 |
Clay | 11 | 12.8 |
Chalk | 7 | 8.1 |
Uncooked maize dough/starch | 1 | 1.2 |
Chewing gum | 1 | 1.2 |
Pepper | 1 | 1.2 |
Pepsodent tooth paste | 1 | 1.2 |
Why respondents practice pica | ||
To prevent nausea | 36 | 41.9 |
To prevent vomiting | 52 | 60.2 |
To prevent salivation | 22 | 25.6 |
For satiety | 4 | 4.7 |