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Subject Area

Ophthalmology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The study was designed to detect the rate of cesarean sections (CS) and assess maternal knowledge and attitudes towards the mode of delivery. Background Cesarean section (CS) was introduced in clinical practice as a life saving procedure both for the mother and the baby, but the increasing rate of births by CS has become an issue of concern in many countries. Maternal beliefs may influence the mode of delivery, and nowadays, CS is performed upon maternal request with no medical cause, so determining maternal knowledge and attitude is an important tool in examining the factors that have contributed to this increase. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 mothers who were selected by using a simple random sampling technique from two family health units and one family health center in Benha district. Data were collected through a predesigned questionnaire to determine socioeconomic status, mode of previous delivery, knowledge, attitude, and source of their information about modes of delivery. Results Cesarean sections (CS) rate in Benha district was 55%. Near half of the studied women (46.3%) had intermediate (fair) level of knowledge regarding indications, advantages, and adverse effects of both modes of delivery (vaginal and CS) and 35.0% had negative attitude toward CS. Most of the studied women who were in the lower class socioeconomically (71.4%) had fair knowledge regarding both the modes of delivery. Conclusion The rate of CS in Benha district was 55%, which is much higher than the upper limit suggested by WHO (15%). Most of the studied women had fair knowledge about the modes of delivery. So prompt action is required to reduce the unaccepted high rate of cesarean section deliveries and improve maternal knowledge about its indications and complications.

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