Lifestyle Characteristics among Women Experiencing Spontaneous Abortion: A Nursing Perspective from Mosul, Iraq

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2026.v17i05.013

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is a common early pregnancy complication influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors. Recognizing these factors is vital for developing nursing interventions to improve maternal outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the distribution of selected lifestyle factors among women with spontaneous abortion attending teaching hospitals in Mosul City, Iraq. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to June 2024 involving 200 women with clinically confirmed spontaneous abortion at three major teaching hospitals in Mosul. Data was collected using structured face-to-face interviews based on a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: This study found significant associations between spontaneous abortion and poor nutrition (p=0.037), low physical activity (p=0.030), high psychological stress (p = 0.007), and irregular sleep patterns (p=0.027). However, no significant associations were observed with smoking, drug use, or environmental exposure. Only 26.7% of participants demonstrated good lifestyle adherence, while 73.3% exhibited fair to poor adherence. Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical influence of modifiable lifestyle factors on pregnancy outcomes and highlight the essential role of nursing professionals in providing lifestyle-based education and support. Integrating lifestyle assessment and counseling into maternal care may contribute to the reduction of preventable pregnancy losses.

Keywords:

Lifestyle and Sleep Pattern, Maternal Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity, Psychological Stress, Spontaneous Abortion

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdullah, M.K., Abdulghani, M.F., Ibrahim, R.H., Mahmood, H.J., Mohsen, O.A., & Jassim, R.S. (2024). Nurses' attitudes, knowledge, and practices concerning evidence-based practice: A cross-sectional study. Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 15(4), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v15i04.002

Adiyaman, D., Korzoum, A., Lukac, S., Hüner, B., Lato, C., Burkert, L., Schmid, A., Janni, W., & Lato, K. (2025). Auswirkungen der Schwangerschaft auf die Sexualität, körperliche Aktivität und das Wohlbefinden von Frauen während der Schwangerschaft [Effects of pregnancy on sexuality, physical activity, and well-being of women during pregnancy]. Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie, 229(4), 239–248. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2607-7766

Aghda, S.A.F., Langarizadeh, M., Mangoli, E., & Sayadi, M. (2026). Determining risk factors predicting miscarriage among couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment: A systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 26, 315. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-08819-6

Alkhalaf, Z.M., Mumford, S.L., Schisterman, E.F., Silver, R.M., & Thoma, M.E. (2026). Periconception maternal vitamin D status on nausea and vomiting symptoms in early pregnancy among women with a history of pregnancy loss. Nutrients, 18(4), 692. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040692

Alkhyatt, M.K., Abdullah, E.K., Ibraim, R.H., Al Anee, B., & Al Raho, J. (2012). Post-traumatic stress in women with breast cancer. Jordan Medical Journal, 46(4), 315–319. https://applications.emro.who.int/imemrf/Jordan_Med_J/Jordan_Med_J_2012_46_4_315_319.pdf

Almukhtar, S.H., Hassan, J.M., & Abdulkareem, Y.Z. (2021). The impact of maternal obesity on newborn and maternal health status. Ожирение и метаболизм, 18(4), 417–424. https://doi.org/10.14341/OMET12772

Alneama, R.M.J., & Ibrahim, R.H. (2025). An integration of Benner’s theory to explore learning styles and motivation as predictors of academic achievement among nursing students in Iraq. Journal of Holistic Nursing Science, 12(1), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.31603/nursing.v12i1.13324

Arnadottir, G.A., Jonsson, H., Schlaikjaer Hartwig, T., Gruhn, J. R., Møller, P. L., Gylfason, A., Westergaard, D., Chan, A. C.-H., Oddsson, A., Stefansdottir, L., le Roux, L., Steinthorsdottir, V., Moore, K. H. S., Olafsson, S., Olason, P. I., Eggertsson, H. P., Halldorsson, G. H., Walters, G. B., Stefansson, H., … Stefansson, K. (2025). Sequence diversity lost in early pregnancy. Nature, 642(8068), 672–681. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09031-w

Cao, Y., Ding, M., Chen, J., Zhang, C., He, F., Li, X., Jiang, C., Sun, X., Zou, Y., Yang, D., & Zhao, X. (2025). The relationship between insulin resistance and recurrent pregnancy loss in assisted reproductive technology: A retrospective case-control study. Medicine, 104(22), e42373. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000042373

Catak, B., Oner, C., Sutlu, S., & Kilinc, S. (2016). Effect of socio-cultural factors on spontaneous abortion in Burdur, Turkey: A population-based case-control study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 32(5), 1257–1262. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.325.10078

Chaves, A.V.L., Carreira, N.P., Lima, M.C., Sartorelli, D.S., & Crivellenti, L.C. (2024). Association of sociodemographic, obstetric characteristics, lifestyle, and food consumption with life satisfaction and optimism among overweight pregnant women. British Journal of Nutrition, 132(8), 1052–1064. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114524001764

Cheng, I.N., & Lai, T.H. (2026). Risk factors and diagnostic challenges in a nullipara with spontaneous uterine rupture during vaginal delivery. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 65(1), 119–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjog.2025.07.029

Edrees, T., & Ibrahim, R.H. (2020). Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women visiting antenatal clinic at Mosul City, Iraq. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 14(2), 1046–1049. https://applications.emro.who.int/imemrf/369/Pak-J-Med-Health-Sci-2020-14-2-1046-1049-eng.pdf

Guo, W., Yang, H., Feng, B., Chen, H., Zhong, Z., Li, K., Yang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2026). Mendelian randomization reveals associations between modifiable risk factors and spontaneous abortion. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 26(1), 149. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-08628-3

Habow, H.D., & Ibrahim, R.H. (2024). Investigating the dynamics of women's health information on social media: A nursing perspective. Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 16(2), 191–200. https://doi.org/10.31674/MJN.2024.V16I02.019

Hajek, A., & König, H.H. (2022). The association between the number of live births and certain frailty dimensions. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 102, 104759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2022.104759

Hamarash, M.Q., Ibrahim, R.H., Yaas, M.H., Almushhadany, O.I., & Al Mukhtar, S.H. (2025). Using peer-assisted learning to enhance clinical reasoning skills in undergraduate nursing students: A study in Iraq. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 16, 651–662. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S507996

Ibrahim, E.K., & Ibrahim, R.H. (2025). The nexus of emotional intelligence, empathy, and moral sensitivity: Enhancing ethical nursing practices in clinical settings. Journal of Nursing Management, 2025, 9571408. https://doi.org/10.1155/jonm/9571408

Ibrahim, R.H., Ghanim, A.K., & Alkhaderjameel, H.A. (2020). Impact of electronic games on the behavior of children and their academic achievement upon schools in Mosul City. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 14(1), 374–379. https://doi.org/10.37506/v14/i1/2020/ijfmt/192926

Liu, J., Zhao, M., Zhuan, J., Song, Y., Han, Z., Zhao, Y., Ma, H., & Yang, X. (2025). Depression with risks for spontaneous abortion: A meta-analysis. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 1148. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03484-4

Madlala, S.S., & Kassier, S.M. (2018). Antenatal and postpartum depression: Effects on infant and young child health and feeding practices. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 31(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2017.1333753

Pérez-Castillo, Í. M., Rivero-Blanco, T., León-Ríos, X. A., Expósito-Ruiz, M., López-Criado, M. S., & Aguilar-Cordero, M. J. (2020). Associations of vitamin D deficiency, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorus with perinatal adverse outcomes: A prospective cohort study. Nutrients, 12(11), 3279. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113279

Podilyakina, Y., Stabayeva, L., Kulov, D., Kamyshanskiy, Y., Amirbekova, Z., Stundžienė, R., & Zhamantayev, O. (2025). Risk factors for first-trimester spontaneous abortion and the role of preconception care. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 6, 1615983. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2025.1615983

Polanek, E., Rárosi, F., Béky, C. F., Molnár, R., Németh, G., Orvos, H., Paulik, E., & Szabó, A. (2025). Beyond the pill: Unveiling the characteristics of prenatal micronutrient consumption among Hungarian pregnant women according to different levels of adherence. Nutrients, 17(17), 2732. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172732

Saidi, H., Bounihi, A., Benbaibeche, H., Benhedouga, A., Saiah, W., & Koceir, E.A. (2025). Dietary diversity and low/moderate physical activity are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition Bulletin, 50(4), 604–616. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.70036

Taher, M.I.M., & Ibrahim, R.H. (2023). Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of university employees about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Informatics in Medicine Unlocked, 37, 101184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imu.2023.101184

Wang, B., Li, Q., Li, C., & Li, S. (2025). The trends of changes in monitoring indicators related to the risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion. Medicine, 104(31), e43604. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000043604

Yaas, M.H., Hamarash, M.Q., Almushhadany, O.I., Ibrahim, R.H., & Jassim, R.S. (2023). Assessing the effectiveness of clinical rotations in preparing undergraduate nursing students for practice: Mixed study. Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 15(2), 87–99. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2023.v15i02.010

Zeng, L.X., Yan, H., & Chen, Z.J. (2007). Study on the current status and risk factors of spontaneous abortion of women at reproductive age in rural areas of Xianyang district, Shaanxi Province. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi, 28(1), 19–23. https://scholar.xjtu.edu.cn/en/publications/study-on-the-current-status-and-risk-factors-of-spontaneous-abort/

Zhang, H., Luo, R., Fang, Y., Wang, H., & Li, Y. (2026). Sleep disruption and shift work associate with increased risk of reproductive endocrine disorders: Evidence from UK Biobank and Mendelian randomization. International Journal of Women’s Health, 18, 571454. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S571454

Zheng, W., Zhang, L., Ning, J., Yuan, S., Song, M., Li, W., Xu, H., & Wang, S. (2026). Recent research progress on pathophysiological mechanism and clinical treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion and prethrombotic state. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 173, 104822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2025.104822

Zloto, K., Segal, G., Shaham, L., Blumenfeld, S., Brenner, N., Steinberg, S., Mashiah, R., Admon, D., Sivan, E., & Weissmann-Brenner, A. (2025). Spontaneous abortion during wartime: A retrospective comparative study. Israel Medical Association Journal, 27(7), 419–423. https://www.ima.org.il/MedicineIMAJ/viewarticle.aspx?year=2025&month=07&page=419

Published

25-05-2026

How to Cite

Qassim Yehya, N. ., & Al-Mukhtar, S. H. . (2026). Lifestyle Characteristics among Women Experiencing Spontaneous Abortion: A Nursing Perspective from Mosul, Iraq: . The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN), 17(5), 135-144. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2026.v17i05.013

Metrics