Health system management and strategies to decrease elective cesarean section: a qualitative study

bjective (s): Elective caesarean sections in most countries including Iran has increased dramatically and became a serious problem for the health system. This study aimed to assess challenges and strategies to decrease elective cesarean section as faced by health system management using a qualitative approach. Eleven semi-structured interviews conducted with midwives، obstetricians and sociologist. They were asked to elaborate on issues that health system is facing with. Data were analyzed in a conventional fashion. Four concepts emerged from the qualitative data analysis including: ‘performance supervision’، ‘standardization’، ‘regulations’، and ‘education’. Any decrease in caesarean sections requires integrative coordination and can be achieved only by substantial interventions by health system management.