Assessment of Clinical Indications for Caesarean Section in Mosul City Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Caesarean section is traditionally done when a vaginal delivery would put the mother or fetus's life at risk. Knowing the indications of the caesarean section will help to have an impression of this common type of the obstetric procedures. The aim of the current study was to examine the indications of caesarean sections which are undertaken in Mosul city hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done at eight hospitals in Mosul city and a sample of 671 women who were delivered by caesarean section was included in this study. The necessary agreement was obtained from all the participants in the sample. Study period: the study was done during the period from 15 th November 2019 to 15 th April 2020. The information was taken by direct interview with the women who were delivered by caesarean section and from their hospital case sheets. Results: Primary caesarean section was reported in 45.2% of cases followed by previous two or more CS in 32.3% and those with previous one caesarean section with other causes 22.5% with a very highly statistically significant difference (P=0.001). Fetal distress was the indication for primary caesarean section in one-quarter of cases 25.4% with a very highly statistically significant difference (P=0.000) from other causes. Maternal request constituted 11.5% of indications among the participant women and it constituted onequarter of causes among women with previous one caesarean section (P=0.000). Conclusions and recommendations: Primary caesarean section constituted the highest number among caesarean section indications in the current study, followed by previous two or more caesarean section and then previous caesarean section with other causes. Fetal distress was the highest indication in primary caesarean section cases. The study recommends to improve health education to the mother about the risk of caesarean section and possibility of normal delivery after primary caesarean section.