Frequency and evaluation of the perceptions towards caesarean section among pregnant women attending public hospitals in Pakistan and the implications.

Ishaq, Rabia, Baloch, Nosheen Sikander, Iqbal, Qaiser, Saleem, Fahad, Hassali, Mohamed Azmi ORCID: 0000-0001-9575-403X, Iqbal, Javeid, Ahmed, Fiaz Ud Din, Anwar, Mohammad, Haider, Sajjad and Godman, Brian ORCID: 0000-0001-6539-6972 (2017) Frequency and evaluation of the perceptions towards caesarean section among pregnant women attending public hospitals in Pakistan and the implications. Hospital practice (1995), 45 (3). pp. 104-110.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21548331.2017.1328250

Abstract

<h4>Objectives</h4>There is increasing prevalence of caesarean sections (CS) worldwide; however, there are concerns about their rates in some countries, including potential fears among mothers. Consequently, we aimed to determine the frequency of CS, and explore patient's perception towards CS attending public hospitals in Pakistan, to provide future guidance.<h4>Methods</h4>A two-phased study design (retrospective and cross sectional) was adopted. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the frequency of CS over one year among four public hospitals. A cross sectional study was subsequently conducted to determine patients' perception towards CS attending the four tertiary care public hospitals in Quetta city, Pakistan, which is where most births take place.<h4>Results</h4>Overall prevalence of CS was 13.1% across the four hospitals. 728 patients were approached and 717 responded to the survey. Although 78.8% perceived CS as dangerous, influenced by education (p = 0.004), locality (p = 0.001) and employment status (p = 0.001), 74.5% of patients were in agreement that this is the best approach to save mother's and baby's lives if needed. 62% of respondents reported they would like to avoid CS if they could due to post-operative pain, and 58.9% preferred a normal delivery. There was also a significant association with education (p = 0.001) and locality (p = 0.001) where respondents considered normal vaginal delivery as painful.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The overall frequency of CS approximates to WHO recommendations, although there is appreciable variation among the four hospitals. When it comes to perception towards CS, women had limited information. There is a need to provide mothers with education during the antenatal period, especially those with limited education, to accept CS where needed.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	peerreview_statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope. aims_and_scope_url: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=ihop20
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Cesarean Section, Prevalence, Retrospective Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Perception, Residence Characteristics, Pregnancy, Socioeconomic Factors, Adolescent, Adult, Hospitals, Public, Pakistan, Female, Young Adult
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	13 Jun 2017 11:16
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2024 13:45
DOI:	10.1080/21548331.2017.1328250
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3007949