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