Qur’an Recitation Intensity and Anxiety Among Third-Trimester Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Anxiety in women during the third trimester of pregnancy remains high and may have negative impacts on both maternal and fetal health. Data from the World Health Organization and studies in Indonesia indicate a high prevalence of anxiety as childbirth approaches. Non-pharmacological spiritual-based interventions, such as reading the Qur’an, are believed to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety; therefore, their relationship with anxiety levels in pregnant women needs to be investigated. This study aimed to determine the level of anxiety among third-trimester pregnant women at Wihdatul Ummah Clinic in Makassar, to assess the intensity of Qur’an reading, and to analyze the relationship between the intensity of Qur’an reading and anxiety levels. This study employed a quantitative observational analytic method with a cross-sectional design. The results showed that most third-trimester pregnant women were in the non-anxious category (69.4%), although 30.6% experienced anxiety ranging from mild to very severe. The majority of participants had a moderate intensity of Qur’an reading (66.7%), while 33.3% had a high intensity, and none had a low intensity. Statistical analysis showed no significant relationship between the intensity of Qur’an reading and anxiety levels among third-trimester pregnant women (p = 0.95). It can be concluded that there is no significant relationship between the intensity of Qur’an reading and anxiety levels among third-trimester pregnant women at Wihdatul Ummah Clinic, Makassar.