Prevalence of cesarean section and its related factors among multiparous in Tehran province, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Caesarean section (CS) rates have risen substantially worldwide over the past decades particularly in Latin America, the Caribbean and Iran. In this way, the aim of the study was to determine the rate of CS among multiparous, and indentifying the related factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 2189 multiparous who gave singleton birth in Tehran province, Iran from 6-21 July 2015. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire through interview with mothers and review of their medical records. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factor associated with CS. Results: The CS rate was 71.8% in this study. In univariate analysis, higher maternal age, parents’ educational level, economic status, body mass index (BMI), parity, infant weight, baby’s head circumference, history of abortion, and use of assisted reproductive technology were associated with CS. Moreover, multivariate analysis has shown a significant relationship between CS and mother’s age, mother’s education, economic status, BMI, parity, infant weight and baby’s head circumference. Conclusion: The CS rate among multiparous in Tehran is substantially high. Therefore, there are essential requirements for providing immediate strategies (such as education and psychological interventions to increase women’s knowledge about the risks of CS as well as to change women’s attitude toward CS and improving the quality of natural delivery) to reduce CS rate. Furthermore, factors such as mother’s age, economic status, BMI, parity, infant weight and baby’s head circumference were related to CS.