The Relationship of Islamic Lifestyle and Mental Health in Pregnancy: A Cross- Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between adherence to Islamic lifestyle practices and mental health outcomes among pregnant women attending a tertiary care center in Karachi.
Study Design: A cross-sectional analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: The Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from April 15th to June 15th 2025.
Materials and Methods: The study included 300 pregnant Muslim women aged 15 to 49 years with gestational age over 28 weeks, selected via purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the 75-item Islamic Lifestyle Questionnaire (covering ten domains), and the DASS-21. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations were analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression.
Results: The mean age of participants was 30.8 ± 8.2 years, with a mean Islamic lifestyle score of 241.6 ± 51.7. Average depression, anxiety, and stress scores were 4.7, 5.1, and 3.8, respectively. Islamic lifestyle was significantly and inversely correlated with total DASS score (r = –0.350, p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified Islamic lifestyle as the sole significant predictor of mental health (β = –0.350, p < 0.001), while demographic variables were not significant.
Conclusion: Stronger adherence to an Islamic lifestyle is linked to lower depression, anxiety, and stress during pregnancy. Integrating culturally and spiritually tailored interventions into antenatal care could improve maternal psychological well-being.