Number of myths and fallacies exist about health and disease in the Pakistani society. Just like any other developing society, food fallacies are prevalent too. For example, in the case of a child’s respiratory illness, rice and banana are forbidden as they are perceived to aggravate the condition. In patients with hepatitis, restricting the diet to boiled food and forbidding fish, meat and milk is common. The concept of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ food is also known, e.g. eggs, fish and meat items are considered hot foods and rice, yogurt and oranges are cold ones. For pregnant women, uncooked liver of cow thought to counter anemia and eating a specific type of ‘clay’ would prevent morning sickness. More interesting myths pertain to fertility. A woman is considered to be complete only after having children—otherwise she will be stigmatized. Therefore ,out of social pressure or personal desire, women and families especially in rural areas, seek the treatment of infertility from traditional or religious healers (Bhatti et al.1999). A misconception widely known among women of reproductive age particularly in rural areas is that the oral contraceptive pills can be used as an abortifacient.
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