Magnitude of cesarean section and its associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in East Wollega Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Background: Globally, there has been an explosive rise in the cesarean section rate that exceeds the World Health Organization rate of 10-15% and in the past fifteen years the rates was doubled in some countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the current magnitude and the factors that contribute to increasing cesarean section rates beyond the World Health Organization recommendations and specifically in the study areas.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the magnitude of cesarean sections and its associated factors among mothers who gave birth in public hospitals in East Wollega Zone, Oromia Ethiopia 2022.

Methods: A Facility-based cross-sectional study design supplemented by the qualitative study was conducted among 403 mothers, and an in-depth interview was held with purposefully selected 18 post-cesarean section mothers who gave birth at public hospitals. The study subject for quantitative data was selected by a systematic random sampling method. Face-to-face interviews and a chart review checklist were used for data collection. Data were entered into EPI Data Version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 25 for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. Variables that were statistically significant at bivariate logistic regression with a p-value < 0.25 were entered into the multivariable logistic regression. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.005 RESULT: The finding of this study revealed that the magnitude of the cesarean section was 31.5% (95% CI: 27.4%-36.5%). Factors such as living in an urban area (AOR = 2.87, 95%CI (1.63,5.05)), a mother who attained college and above (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI (1.72, 7.06)), being a referred mother (AO R = 2.27, 95% CI (1.31, 3.94)), being induced labor (AOR = 4.83, 95% CI (1.93,12.06)) and lack of antenatal care follow up (AOR=7.84, 95% CI (4.26, 14.44)) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of cesarean section.

Conclusion: and Recommendation The study indicates a high cesarean section rate that exceeds the World Health Organization recommendation 10-15%. Therefore, improving antenatal care, referral systems, and labor induction management needs concern to mitigate unnecessary cesarean deliveries.