Table 3.

Factors related to the intake of pica among pregnant women

Thematic area	Variable	Responses	Frequency	Percentage
Education on pica	Ever had education on nutrition when pregnant	Yes	235	82.2
		No	51	17.8
	Source of education	Home	16	16.7
		Market	5	5.2
		Radio	17	17.7
		Hospital or clinic	89	92.7
		Church	9	9.4
Effects of pica	Eating pica is harmful	Yes	181	63.3
		No	18	6.3
		Do not know	87	30.4
	Effects of pica	Anaemia	78	43.1
		Stillbirth	37	20.5
		Deformed baby	58	32.0
		Do not know	8	4.4
Pica considered by pregnant women to be nutritious	Grains	Yes	256	89.5
		No	30	10.5
	Legumes	Yes	200	69.9
		No	86	30.1
	Vegetables	Yes	248	86.7
		No	38	13.3
	Meats	Yes	236	82.8
		No	49	17.2
	Fish	Yes	239	83.9
		No	46	16.1
	Fruits	Yes	219	76.6
		No	67	23.4
	Dairy products	Yes	166	58.0
		No	120	42.0
	White clay	Yes	61	21.2
		No	225	78.7
	Ice	Yes	51	17.8
		No	235	82.2
	Charcoal	Yes	9	3.2
		No	277	96.8
	Red clay	Yes	8	2.8
		No	278	97.2
	Toothpaste	Yes	6	2.1
		No	280	97.9
Reasons why women eat pica	Because of the taste	Yes	95	33.2
		No	191	66.8
	Because of the smell	Yes	120	42.0
		No	166	58.0
	Because of the texture	Yes	14	4.9
		No	272	95.1
	To reduce nausea and vomiting	Yes	104	36.4
		No	182	63.6
	Just craving for it	Yes	149	52.1
		No	137	47.9
	Due to hunger	Yes	44	15.4
		No	242	84.6