Article Sidebar

Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 759 Download : 338

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Main Article Content

Abstract

Fish and fish products are important sources of nutritional elements, especially iodine and unsaturated fatty acids (omega-3). These are essential for pregnant women and their embryos during a pregnancy period. However, women and their embryos may be exposed to chemical pollutants when they consume fish. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the consumption pattern of fish during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods, and explore the awareness on the chemical pollutants in fish among the women who recently gave birth in Tripoli city, Libya. This study targeted 370 women randomly in Tripoli city and collected data through a face to face questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: characteristics of new mothers; consumption of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and canned fish; and knowledge on the importance and risks of eating fish and fish products. The results showed that eating fish, crustaceans, and mollusks once a month was the highest proportion in the three periods with a percentage of 38, 38 and 41%, respectively. Sardine, sea bream and mackerel were the most fish common consumed by new mothers during the three periods. More than half of the mothers did not change the pattern of their consumption of fish, crustaceans and/or mollusks during pregnancy as compared to the pre-pregnancy period and after the birth of their children as compared to the pregnancy period. The canned tuna was the most canned fish consumed by respondents (93%). More than half of mothers realized that eating fish is important for health in general and for pregnant women with a percentage of 58 and 59%, respectively. The results of this study showed that there was a great need to raise the awareness of new mothers about chemical pollutants in fish. Furthermore, effective programs should be adopted by the competent authorities to educate mothers about what types and amounts of fish they should consume during pregnancy and the types that should be avoided.

Keywords

Pregnancy Mothers Environmental pollutants Libya Seafood

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Thuraya A. Abuhlega, University of Tripoli Food Science and Technology Department Faculty of Agriculture Tripoly Libya

Dr. Thuraya Ahmed Abuhlega

Assistant Professor.

Head of the department of Food Science and Technology , Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tripoli

How to Cite
Abuhlega, T. A., & Maamar, huria M. (2020). Fish Consumption and Knowledge of Chemical Pollutants Among a Sample of New Mothers in Tripoli, Libya. Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences [JAMS], 25, 39–47. https://doi.org/10.24200/jams.vol25iss0pp39-47
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX

References

  1. - Abuhlega T, Hassan T. 2017. Consumption trend of canned fish in a sample of pupils/ students of basic and secondary education in Tripoli, Libya. Arab Journal of Food and Nutrition, 17 (39): 79-91. (Arabic article)
  2. - Cetin I, Koletzko B. 2018. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supply in pregnancy and lactation. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 11(3): 297–302.
  3. - Connelly NA, Smith KK, Lauber TB, Niederdeppe J, Knuth BA. 2013. Factors affecting fish consumption among new mothers living in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Human Dimensions Research Unit Series Publication 13-01. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca N.Y.
  4. - Costa LG. 2007. Contaminants in fish: Risk-benefit considerations. Arh. Hig. Rada. Toksikol, 58:367–374
  5. - Dovydaitis T. 2008. Fish consumption during pregnancy: an overview of the risks and benefits. J Midwifery Womens Health, 53(4): 325–330.
  6. - FDA. 2017. Eating fish: what pregnant women and parents should know. US Food and Drug Administration, US Environmental Protection Agency.
  7. https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/Metals/UCM537120.pdf. [Accessed date: 15/ 2/ 2019].
  8. - Guldner L, Monfort C, Rouget F, Garlantezec R, Cordier S. 2007. Maternal fish and shellfish intake and pregnancy outcomes: A prospective cohort study in Brittany, France. Environ Health, 6: 33.
  9. - Hosseini SV, Alfaki F, Sobhanardakani S, Langaroudi SB. 2015. Selected Metals in Canned Fish Consumed in Iran. Iranian Journal of Toxicology 8, 27: 2015.
  10. - Jacobs Jr DR, Ruzzin, J, Le DH. 2014. Environmental pollutants: downgrading the fish food stock affects chronic disease risk. Journal Internal Medicine, 276 (3): 240-242.
  11. - MDH (Minnesota Department of Health). 2012. Fish consumption and advisory awareness among Minnesota women who recently gave birth. Minnesota Department of Health. 14pp.
  12. - Taylor CM, Emmett PM, Emond AM, Golding J. 2018. A review of guidance on fish consumption in pregnancy: Is it fit for purpose?. Public Health Nutr.,21(11): 2149-2159.
  13. - Simopoulos AP, Leaf A, Salem N. 1999. Workship on the essentiality of and recommended dietary intakes for omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Tiverton, United Kingdom: International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids; 1999. Available at:http://www.issfal.org.uk/adequateintakes.htm. [Accessed date: 12/ 11/ 2018].
  14. - Starling P, Charlton K, McMahon AT, Lucas C. 2015. Fish intake during pregnancy and foetal neurodevelopment-A systematic review of the evidence. Nutrients. 7(3): 2001–2014.