Determinants of caesarean section rates in private-not-for-profit healthcare facilities: St. Joseph’s Hospital_ Kitovu

Abstract

Caesarean delivery, often called a C-section, is the delivery of the baby through incisions in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. Caesarean deliveries, whether elective or medically necessary, have risen dramatically in recent decades across the globe, more than the recommended 10–15% by WHO. To determine the mean CSR, ascertain the determinants of Caesarean Section and attitudes of managers toward monitoring and evaluation C-Section. It was descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study design, both qualitative and quantitative. 318 respondent mothers who were admitted to Maternity ward or deliver from the said ward were interviewed. Document review guide, interview guides, and semi-structured questionnaires were used. The study found the Average CSR for St. Joseph’s Hospital _ Kitovu was 47.6%. Determinants associated or which influenced Caesarean delivery were; Age of respondent less than 20 years (p = .041), not being married (p = .015), educational level of respondents (p = .000), living in urban setting (p = .001), among others. Socio-economic determinants (regular household income, p = .000, and occupation, p = .000) highly influenced caesarean delivery. There were mixed views of the health manager toward regularizing monitoring and evaluation of Caesarean Section Rates (CSR). The Caesarean Section Rate (47.6%) in Private Not-For Profit Healthcare organization is still unacceptably higher WHO recommendation of 10–15%. Therefore, there is stronger need to regularize monitoring and evaluation of CSR.