The indications and contributing factors leading to caesarean sections at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Currently, rise in rate of caesarean section is a matter of concern, and has gained international attention. Caesarean section also poses health risk to both mother as well as child, and increases healthcare burden. Aim: to determine and analyse the indications and contributing factors leading to caesarean sections at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: All pregnant women booked or unbooked and referred patients (including those admitted in emergency) for which caesarean sections were indicated later on, were included. For uniformity, all patients were categorized according to Robson’s Ten Group classification system (RTGCS) 2001. Data were presented as frequency and percentages. Results: 26.9% women aged above 30 years. 49.2% were multiparous, 85.7% belonged to rural area, 68.5% had low socioeconomic class, 9.1% were underweight, and 5.7% were pre-term. 74.1% of the women had no previous CS while 23.5% had one previous CS, and 2.4% had two previous CS. 78.9% of the CS were emergency while remaining were elective. Group 5 contributed most to CS (30.4%) followed by group 2 (23.6%). Conclusion: Women with previous CS and nulliparous women with cephalic presentation at term, especially those undergoing labor inductions, contributed the most to the overall CS rate.