Sociocultural and Environmental Drivers of Geophagy Among Women of Reproductive Age: Evidence from Tambach and Munyaka Wards, Kenya
Keywords:
Geophagy, Soft stone, Women of Reproductive Age, Cultural PracticesAbstract
Geophagy, the deliberate consumption of soil materials remains a culturally entrenched yet understudied practice among women of reproductive age in Kenya. Despite being socially accepted in many communities, the practice raises significant nutritional and toxicological concerns due to possible exposure to heavy metals and interference with nutrient absorption. This study examined the sociocultural and environmental determinants of geophagy among women in Tambach (Elgeyo Marakwet County) and Munyaka (Uasin Gishu County). A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed involving 322 women of reproductive age (15-49 years) selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected using researcher-administered questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the most influential factors associated with geophagic behavior. Results showed that soft stones were the most consumed geophagic substances (95–97%), mainly obtained from nearby quarries. Geophagy was most common among single and unemployed women. Family history emerged as the strongest social influence, followed by peer pressure and ease of access to soft stones. Cultural and traditional beliefs played a secondary role, with many women citing physiological cravings rather than cultural obligations as the main reason for consumption. Pregnancy, often assumed to drive geophagy, was not a dominant factor in this study. This study concludes that geophagy is a normalized behavior influenced by social learning, availability, and environmental exposure rather than culture or pregnancy. It recommends strengthening community-based nutrition education through maternal clinics, integrating geophagy awareness into county health programs, and conducting further research on mineral bioavailability and health impacts of soft stone consumption.
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