Geophagia in Transkei region of South Africa: case reports

Bl Meel

doi:10.4314/ahs.v12i4.27

Abstract

Soil has been eaten by humans under various names all over the world. It was used as a spread on the bread instead of butter in Austria known as 'mountain tallow' and in German known as 'stone butter'. Earth is tasty in various countries, termed as 'American earth', 'Earth of Samos' and 'Nishapoor earth', continues to make geophagia habit. To highlight the problem of geophagia in the Transkei region of South Africa. First, one is (XM) of a 35 years woman who divulges her history of geophagia at Sinawe Center. She consumed fresh earthworm dig-out soil after smelling it. This has happened in her first pregnancy in her first trimester. The second, one is an adult women 55-years; she had consumed red bricks for last 15 years. It is not related with her pregnancy. She keeps bricks close her bed and eats when she feels to eat. She used to complain abdominal pain and off and on loose motions. She had bladder stones, which passed through urethra. The history of geophagia, mechanism of craving for soil, and associated cultural belief has discussed in this case report. There is geophagia in the Xhosa community is prevalent and socially accepted.

Highlights

Geophagia has been reported all over the world
A study conducted in Tanzania by Kawai et al (2009) showed that among 971 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in Tanzania, 29% of them, regularly consumed soil.[6]
Aversions and cravings are closely linked to, dietary intake of pregnant women, but it is difficult to explain the eating of soil

Summary

Introduction

Geophagia has been reported all over the world. It generally, implicated with poverty and famine. The behavior has long been viewed as pathological by the medical profession, and it is has been claimed to be both a cause and consequence of anemia.[8] The purpose of this case report is to highlight the African Health Sciences Vol 12 Issue 4 December 2012 problem of geophagia in the Transkei region of South Africa. Case history 1 XM, 35-year staff nurse gave history of geophagia in Sinawe Center She used to smell sand and eat it. She continued for 3-months, and stopped it She used to eat twice or thrice in a week, and a small amount of soil. She does not know what made her to eat, but she feel very satisfied after smelling and eating it.

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion