The Rate, Indications and Contributing Factors of Cesarean Delivery in Southern Nation Nationalities and People’s Region, Ethiopia

Caesarean delivery is a lifesaving surgical procedure for both the mother and the infant in specific medically indicated circumstances, but unnecessary caesarean delivery can lead to increased medical risks. This research considers the rate, indications and contributing factors of caesarean delivery in the Durame Hospital, Southern Ethiopia.

This hospital-based, cross-sectional study examined the period from May 1 through June 1, 2019. Three hundred respondents were enrolled by consecutive sampling, and a structured tool and document review were used for data collection. Data entry and analysis were conducted with EpiData (version 3.1) and SPSS software (version 24). Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine the contributing factors associated with caesarean delivery at a 95% confidence interval (CI).

The overall rate of caesarean delivery was observed to be 24.7%. Non reassuring fetal heart rate (n=13; 17.06%) and abnormal presentation (n=9; 12.2%) were the two most prevalent indications of cesarean delivery. The factors associated with cesarean delivery were previous cesarean delivery (AOR =7.3, 95 % CI: 2.02-26.65), post-term pregnancy (AOR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.268.67) and maternal age of ≥35 years (AOR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.19 -8.67).

The rate of caesarean delivery exceeded the recommended limit of the World Health Organization. To ensure the appropriate use of the procedure, women with a previous caesarean delivery must be meticulously evaluated for the possibility of vaginal delivery, and the hospital must regularly monitor caesarean delivery indications.