A Cross-sectional Analytic Study on Rate and Indication of Caesarean Section in Sulaimaniyah City, Republic of Iraq: A Study From the Perspective of Women Health Behavior

Abstract

Objective: The indications for cesarean section fall into two classes; absolute, where there is no choice, and relative, where there is a choice of method of delivery, but cesarean section (CS) appears to offer the best chance of safety for both mother and child. This research aim is to investigate the incidence and indications used for CS in Sulaimaniyah Maternity Teaching Hospital considering women health behavior. Methods: This descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out from October 1st to December 31st, 2020. The study included 790 pregnant women who had delivered by elective or emergency CS during the study period. Data were collected from women directly using a well-designed questionnaire on the same day or the day after the surgery and a review of the case sheet was done for collected information such as indications, and types of CS (elective or emergency) along with health behavior which was written in the operative note. Also, an ultrasound report was used for the calculation of gestational age. Results: The incidence of CS was 34.6% and common indications of CS were having a previous CS (22.1%), failure of progress (11.9%), and fetal distress (10% Conclusions: The study concluded that CS was common in the study region, and the rate was two times higher than the WHO recommendation in which the previous CS, failure of progress, and fetal distress were the commonest indications of CS. Our study also creates awareness among mothers which can influence health behavior by not choosing cesarean delivery unless it is medically necessary and not to accept physicians??? decisions to do a CS without asking critical questions about the indication.