Increased cesarean-section birth rates and affecting related factors

Abstract

Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the opinions of physicians on increased C-section delivery rates and their coping ways working at different institutions. Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included a total of 200 obstetricians and gynecologists with an experience of at least 20 years chosen through simple random sampling among registered in the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health da-tabase. In the questionnaire, their opinions about test exams and their opinions about solutions to decrease C-section rates were investigated. Results: The majority of the participants (89.0%) responded “Strongly Agree” to the following item: “Factors other than medical causes may affect the decision for C-sec-tion”. Similarly, the majority of the physicians responded “Strongly Agree” to the item on the increase in C-section rates along with malpractices and social pressure put by the patient and her relatives(89.0% and 89.5%, respectively). For the majority of the participants (84.0% and 85.0%, respectively), the main suggestions to overcome the increased C-section delivery rates was to lower; social pressure put against the physicians by the patient and her relatives, and removal of malpractice penalties re-latedfor possible adverse outcomes during normal delivery. In this study, the majority of the physicians responded “Strongly Disagree” to the items related to the imposing penalties and granting bonuses (56.0% and 56.5%, respectively). Similarly, 81.0% of the physicians responded “Strongly Disagree” to the item stating that healthcare planners correctly interfere with the main cause of increased C-section rates. Conclusions: The most important reasons for the high cesarean rates are seen as the fear of malpractice and social pressure of physicians working in both public and private sectors