Attitude towards Fear of Vaginal Delivery and its Relationship with Awareness Level of the Pregnant Women Admitted to Social Security Hospital of Zahedan in the Year 2014

There are several reasons for choosing caesarean section among them the fear of vaginal delivery. In this study, attitudes towards fear of vaginal delivery and its relation to the awareness level of pregnant women was investigated. In this cross-sectional study, 271 pregnant women referring to the social Security Hospital of Zahedan were studied. During 4 months in 2014 the women completed a researcher-made questionnaire, consisting of 4 parts: demographic information, history of pregnancy, questions about subjects’ level of awareness, and attitudes about fear of vaginal delivery. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was determined by test-retest. To analyze the obtained data, Chi-square, Spearman, and ANOVA was used through applying SPSS V: 17 software. The level of awareness about cesarean section was in 64 cases (23/6%) good, 81 (29/9%) average and 126 (46/5%) poor. On the other hand, the women's perceptions about the fear of vaginal delivery in 19 patients (7%) Neutral, 277 (80/1%) and 35% (12/9%) were positive. According to statistical analysis there was a significant positive relationship between the level of awareness to Caesarean section and attitude towards fear (P=0/000)(r=0/193). Fear of labor pain in 76 (28%) was considered to be the most important reason and fear of the personnel’s inappropriate behavior in 60 women (24/02%) was the least important reason. Additionally, age, level of education, history of pregnancy, and consultation before pregnancy were significantly correlated with fear (p<0.05). Based on the significant relationship between the levels of awareness about Caesarean section and attitudes towards fear of vaginal delivery, with appropriate education the awareness level of pregnant women, about methods of pregnancy termination could be increased. Also, with implementing the right attitudes towards vaginal delivery through painless methods we could promote the vaginal delivery.