Preferred Method of Delivery amongst Women of Reproductive Age in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Choice of delivery is as important as getting pregnant for the first time. Delivery could be spontaneous vagina delivery (SVD) or caesarean section (CS). African culture believes in spontaneous vagina delivery which it cannot be compromised. This study is to evaluate the Preferred Method of Delivery Amongst Women of Reproductive Age in South-South, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study involving 260 females who were within the age of 18 to 45 years. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to participants. Each participant had one questionnaire to fill appropriately and independently after instructions were given to them by the researchers. The study lasted for a period of 6 months. The study revealed that 51.4% of the participants have tertiary level of education, 43.8% had secondary level and 4.8% had primary level of education. 69.5% of the participants were married, 24.8% were single, 1.9% were cohabiting and 3.8% are widow.96.0% are Christian, 3.0% were Moslem and 1.0% were African Traditional Believers. 72.4% of the participants were pregnant and 27.6% were not pregnant. 97.1% of the participants have preferred method of delivery and 77.9% preferred spontaneous vaginal delivery and 22.1% preferred cesarean section. Also, the study revealed the reason why the most of the participants preferred spontaneous vaginal delivery as culture (13.6%), pride (11.4%), religion (20. 8%), cost (32.8%) and fear (16.8%).