Driving Factors Influencing The Women's Preference and Decision-Making For Non-Medically Indicated Caesarean Section

Abstract

Background:Caesarean section has become an emerging issue and catching attention worldwide. Shared decision-making among families and individuals has become a fashion and the main reason for women's preference for caesarean section. There are many societal factors that play an important role in unnecessary caesarean sections. Objective: To evaluate the driving factors influencing the women's preference and decision-making for caesarean section at the mother's request. Material and method: Qualitative research design used in this study via face-to-face in-depth interviews in a public-sector Faisalabad. IDI was conducted at the convenient time of the participant at the time of their antenatal visits. The interview's time was 30 to 40 minutes. The study's participants were pregnant women. A purposive sampling method was used. Data analysis was done on Nviovo software. Results: After transcribing the data, codes were made which leads to the basic themes with their sub-themes. The themes which were the influencing factors in women's preference and shared decision-making towards caesarean section were: child and maternal health, peer pressure (husband/mother-in-law/society influence), financial influence and hospital management (shortage of staff). Conclusion: The percentage of non-indicated caesarean sections has drastically increased day by day in the last ten years. There should be introduced some strategies for the education of women about pro cons and indications or non-indication for caesarean section.Patients' and peer preferences should be deliberated with healthcare practitioners. Healthcare staff should explain the indications of caesarean section at the time of antenatal.