DETERMINANTS OF DELIVERY TYPE SELECTION BY USING THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIORS (TPB)

Due to the increas ing of the cesarean operations in Iran as a health problem and its effects on maternal mortality, this study aims to determine the prediction of the type of delivery according to the T heory of Planed B ehaviors (TPB). This study was conducted using descriptive-analytic method in the second half of 2012 and the first half of 2013 on 392 pregnant women admitted to the women’s clinics of Baqiyatallah and Najmieh hospitals in Tehran. The data were collected through a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior variables such as knowledge, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm and behavioral intention. Data were analyzed u sing SPSS software version 16, and logistic regression. The mean age of the mothers under study was 27.6 + 4.5. O ut of 392 pregnant studied wome n, 218 (58.1%) had chosen a vaginal delivery, while 157 (41.9%) had chosen cesarean delivery. Among the theory of planned behavior variables, the subjective norm variable can predict the pregnant women’s informed choice (Wald=49.74). Other effective variables are knowledge, attitudes and perceived behavioral control, respectively. The subjective norm (social factor) was identified as the most effective factor to predict informed delivery choice type. Therefore, along with educational programs to promote awareness and attitude of young women about natural delivery, it is recommended to encourage and promote natural childbirth by specialists including obstetric and gynecologists by using legislation and monitoring.