Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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VOLUME 12 , ISSUE 4 ( July-August, 2020 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude of Egyptian Women toward Cesarean Delivery: A Cross-sectional Survey

Ahmed Alaa-El-Din Wali, Ayman Taher, Shimaa Mostafa Abd-El-Fatah

Citation Information : Wali AA, Taher A, Abd-El-Fatah SM. Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitude of Egyptian Women toward Cesarean Delivery: A Cross-sectional Survey. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2020; 12 (4):203-208.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10006-1768

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 28-09-2020

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Background: Cesarean section (CS) rates have almost doubled globally from 2000 to 2015, with Egypt having one of the highest rates worldwide. This survey was carried out to highlight the role of poor knowledge in increasing unindicated cesarean deliveries (CDs). Aim and objective: To assess the awareness of Egyptian women about the indication of their first CD, their knowledge about different modes of delivery, and their attitude toward CD. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2,379 multiparous ladies, with history of at least one CS, was conducted at a tertiary university hospital, from April 2018 to August 2018. A semistructured questionnaire was used which covered sociodemographic aspects, information about previous deliveries, and 13 closed-ended questions assessing awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward CD. Results: We found that 72.8% of the women had their CS in their first delivery. The private sector is responsible for 48.5% of the primary CD. Nineteen percent of the participants did not know or were not told of their indication for CD, and nine percent had a CS upon demand. Answers showed that 54.6% of women saw CS is safer for the mother, and 63.7% that it is safer for the baby. Participants thought that CS compared to vaginal delivery is less painful (63.4%), associated with less bleeding (69.8%); does not affect emotional bonding (54.1%); protects against prolapse, urinary, and sexual problems (48.7%); and does not affect future fertility (75.8%). In addition, 44% did not know that vaginal birth is possible after a CS, 28% would opt for a CS to avoid the lithotomy position, and 72.5% did not regret delivering by CS. Conclusion: Egyptian women's awareness about their indication for CD is defective, and their knowledge regarding pros and cons of different modes of delivery is inadequate and incorrect.


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