Chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age and potential health risks: Experimental study in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province

Title : Chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age and potential health risks: Experimental study in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province

Abstract:

Background: Geophagy is the deliberate ingestion of earthly materials such as chalk, kaolin, soil, clay, dirt, soft rocks, and sand amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age in African countries such as South Africa. The chemical composition, toxicological aspects, and potential health risks of clay soil consumed by women of childbearing age are often not known and understood by the consumers. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, the low birth weight of the foetus, premature childbirth and children born with defects, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks and ulcers.

Method: An experimental study was conducted to examine the chemical composition of clay soils ingested by pregnant women and women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and were subjected to biochemical analysis. The ICP Mass Spectrometer equipment was used to detect the chemical composition clay soil.

Results: The study detected 18 chemicals substances that were present in clay soil eaten by women of childbearing age of Tshwane in different concentrations. Amongst the detected toxic elements in clay soil, vanadium, manganese, chromium and barium were recorded at high quantities exceeding 100 mg/kg on average.

Conclusion: The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age is toxic and should be discouraged.

Keywords: Chemicals, potential health risk, geophagy, women of childbearing age, trace elements, and Tshwane District.

Audience Take Away:

• Chemical composition of clay soil consumed by women of childbearing age particularly pregnant women.
• Potential health risks linked to ingestion of clay soil through the practise of geophagy.
• The relationship between the practise of geophagy amongst pregnant women, foetus, and mineral and nutrients deficiencies.

Biography:

Mohora Feida Malebatja is currently working as a Lecturer and a Researcher at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, where she participates in teaching, learning, research, and community engagements. She is presently pursuing a PhD in Public Health at Sefako Makgatho University. Mohora has conducted a study on geophagic practice among women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, South Africa. Part of her study included testing clay soil to detect the chemicals present in the clay soil consumed by these women. She holds a Master's in Public Health from the University of Pretoria, specializing in Environmental and Occupational Health. Additionally, she has a Post Graduate diploma in Public Health from Sefako Makgatho University and a BSc Hons in Environmental Technology from the University of Pretoria. Mohora has also completed a BSc degree in Community Water Services and Sanitation from the University of Limpopo. She has experience working as an Epidemiologist, Manager of Water and Sanitation, and CDE for Water Board Oversight in government departments and local municipalities.