Knowledge and Factors Influencing Spontaneous Abortion Among Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Ilorin East, Nigeria

Background: Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) remains a major maternal health concern with significant physical, psychological, and socio-cultural implications. In many settings, misconceptions and limited health literacy continue to influence women’s understanding and care-seeking behaviour. Aim: This study assessed the level of knowledge of spontaneous abortion and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal services at Okelele Comprehensive Primary Health Care Centre, Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Two hundred pregnant women (n = 200) were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a validated self-structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square (χ²) tests in SPSS version 25, with significance set at p < .05. Findings: Respondents demonstrated general awareness of spontaneous abortion; however, gaps remained regarding medical causes and preventive measures. Educational level, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic factors influenced knowledge, while maternal age, χ²(3, N = 200) = 4.05, p = .14, and parity, χ²(3, N = 200) = 3.67, p = .30, showed no significant association. Conclusion: Although pregnant women exhibited general awareness of spontaneous abortion, important gaps remain in biomedical understanding and preventive knowledge. Knowledge levels were shaped more by educational and socio-cultural factors than by age or reproductive experience. Recommendation: Structured, culturally responsive nurse-led antenatal education programmes, strengthened professional training in reproductive health counselling, and community-based awareness initiatives are recommended to improve maternal health literacy and pregnancy outcomes. Keywords: Spontaneous abortion, Miscarriage, Knowledge, Antenatal care, Pregnant women, Nigeria