Family Socio-economic Factors Associated with Preterm and Fullterm Birth among Mothers in Holy karbala city: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: One of the most important causes of child death in the world is preterm birth (PTB), especially in developing and low-income countries. Therefore, identifying socioeconomic factors may contribute to supporting targeted measures to reduce its incidence.

Objective: To determine the relationship between family socioeconomic factors, preterm and full-term birth among mothers in Holy Karbala city, Iraq.

Methods: A quantitative (comparative) analytical study was conducted in three hospitals in the Holy city Karbala, Iraq, during the period from September 19, 2024, and July 9, 2025. The study sample included 150 mothers who had preterm births and 150 mothers who had full-term births. individuals were selected via non-probability convenience sampling., data were collected through face-to-face interviews with mothers using a standardized questionnaire that covered sociodemographic and health-related variables. Binary logistic regression and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data.

Results: Various socioeconomic factors, including: mother age (p=0.035), living in rural region (p=0.004), having a low level of education (p=0.000), and having an insufficient monthly income (p=0.014), were significantly correlated with PTB.

Conclusion: PTB risk in Holy Karbala strongly correlates with family socioeconomic conditions especially low mother education, insufficient income, and rural residence. In similar populations, the burden of PTB may be minimized by efforts that improve maternal awareness and access to antenatal care services.