Women's involvement in the decision to be delivered by caesarean section in Sub Saharan Africa.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

The aim of this study is to determine the degree and nature of women's involvement in the decision to deliver by Caesarean section.

METHODOLOGY:

A cross sectional descriptive multi-centre study on post partum women who were delivered by Caesarean section in the three study centres.

RESULTS:

The five most common indicators for Caesarean section include cephalo-pelvic disproportion, prolonged labour, malpresentation, pregnancy induced hypertension and ante partum haemorrhage, which accounted for 70% of the indications for Caesarean section. The commonest influence on respondents' decision to have Caesarean section was physician factors, followed by religious and cultural factors. Husbands influenced majority of the respondents during decision for Caesarean section. The respondents' agreement with decision for Caesarean section varied significantly as the number of previous Caesarean section, being highest among women with 4 previous Caesarean section. In conclusion, the majority of women were found to be involved in the decision to have Caesarean section, and the most influential factors on them during the decision process were physician factors and husband's presence. In this environment, the greater the number of previous Caesarean section a woman has had in the past the more likely would she accept Caesarean section in subsequent deliveries as a better option.

RECOMMENDATION:

There is need for further studies to determine the effect of socio-demographic factors on decision to have caesarean section as well as satisfaction of the outcome.

• Authors: G A Nnaji, C Okafor, K Muoghalu, U N Onyejimbe, O S Umeononihu
• Journal: Nigerian journal of medicine : journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (Niger J Med) 2012 Apr-Jun Vol. 21 Issue 2 Pg. 150-5 ISSN: 1115-2613 [Print] Nigeria
• PMID: 23311181 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Africa South of the Sahara
• Cesarean Section
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Culture
• Decision Making
• Female
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Patient Participation
• Physician-Patient Relations
• Pregnancy
• Religion
• Spouses
• Young Adult