Prevalence of cesarean section in a tertiary care hospital in South India: A clinical audit

Abstract

Objective: The rapid rise in CS has become a grievous public health issue and have found increasing since the routine use of better facilities. This study assesses the common indications of LSCS and improve quality of obstetric care by taking steps to reduce unnecessary cesarean sections.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among 381 women who delivered by cesarean section in a duration of 1 year at Travancore Medical College, Kerala. Variables including age, parity, gestational age, CS timing (elective or emergency), indications for LSCS were collected from their case records and entered in the proforma. Descriptive statistics used for the analysis.Results: The prevalence of LSCS was 45.84%. Out of the 381 LSCS performed, 44% were emergency cases and 56% were elective. Previous LSCS was the most common indication (153 cases, 42.5%), followed by failure of induction of labor (92 cases, 24.13%).Conclusion: Indications for LSCS are common in most institutions globally. The most common indication in the audit was previous LSCS, followed by failed induction of labor. Efforts should be made to focus on reducing the primary LSCS rates thereby reducing common indication of previous LSCS in subsequent pregnancies.