Abstract:
Background: - Escalating caesarean section rate is a major public health problem because
caesarean section increases the health risk for mothers and babies as well as the cost of health
care compared with normal deliveries. Increasing evidence shows that women undergoing
caesareans have a less satisfactory childbirth experience than those delivering vaginally and are
more prone to postnatal depression, bonding difficulties and unsuccessful breastfeeding.
Objective: - To assess prevalence of caesarean section and associated factors among women
gave birth at Jimma University specialized hospital, South West Ethiopia.
Method: Heath facility based cross sectional study design, which involved both quantitative
and qualitative methods of data collection, conducted from March 25 to April 12, 2016.
Consecutive sampling technique used to select 250 subjects. Data collected by using structured
questionnaires, chart review and key informant in-depth interview. The data analyzed using
simple and multivariable logistic regression and statistical associations measured using odd
ratio and 95%CI. Qualitative result presented in narratives form with quantitative data.
Result: The prevalence of caesarean section was 45.2%. According to this finding, factors
significantly associated with caesarean section were mal presentation (AOR: 3.469, 95%CI:
1.142, 10.540), fetal distress (AOR: 4.398, 95% CI: 1.398, 13.837), obstructed labor (AOR:
4.003, 95%CI: 1.089, 14.717). Coming from distance of >1 hour from the health facility (AOR:
3.508, 95%CI: 1.125, 10.945) and being getting an income of 4000Ethiopian Birr and above
monthly income (AOR: 4.205, 95%CI: 1.077, 16.421) were significantly associated with
caesarean section.
Conclusions: Prevalence of caesarean section at Jimma University Specialized Hospital is too
higher than World Health Organization recommendations for caesarean section. Most of these
factors are manageable by early detection and prevention of obstetric complications and staffing
health facilities by trained health care providers for the community at prenatal period.
Recommendations: Jimma University Specialized Hospital obstetrics and gynecology
department should act according to World Health Organization recommendations to reduce
current caesarean rate. They should use partograph for labor and delivery monitoring.
