Study the Prevalence, Characteristics of Mothers and Associated Risk Factors of Pica Eating among Pregnant Women

Eating disorder is a common phenomenon accompanying pregnancy including ingestioning non-nutrtitve substances. Causes of pica are uncertain. The purpose of this study therofre is to assesse prevalnce, characteretics and risk factos of pica among Kurdish pregnant women. A cross sectioal study was conducted in Iraqi Kurdistan and the information regarding sociodemographic infromation, prevalence and characterestics of and risk facros were collected. Four hundred woment were registered  and interviewed for this study. The resuslts: data showed that prevalence of pica was 60.5% (242), and the most frequenct  forms of pica eaten were pagophagia and geaphagia and amylophagia by 29.7% (119), 25.3% (101) and 12.5% (50) respectively. Data showed that pica is related to mother education (P=0.011), mother occupation (P=0.002), living place( P=0.011), health complication duering pregnancy ( P=0.018) and affects bread feeding (P=0.040). Baby gender, mother age, Iron suppelemtation, hisotry of child abortion and economic satisfacton weren not signicantly associated to pica eating.  The results also showed that psychlogical factors  for pica eating was reduce nausia, amilearate stress and axiety and very fewer pregnant used to control hunger. Conclusion: Mother should check for any health complication before pregnancy and receive enough and regualr check as well as edcuate themselves regarding consequence of pica. Also psychological consultation is important throughout pregnancy period.