Abstract
In the last decade, a number of studies have questioned the practice of caesarean section birth in obstetrical practices in Africa. Medical sociologists and anthropologists have considered caesarean section as a medicalization of social events. We are not assuming that it is true of false. The transformation of social events into medical indications rises ethical issues in the provision of healthcare in Africa. In this paper, we especially used the case of caesarean section birth to explore the transformation of social events into medical indications in Africa. Caesarean sections by choice interrogates the obstetrical practices. This paper examines the socio-ethical issues in caesarean section in Africa. We considered some underlying factors: medicalization of the society, informed consent, biotechnology, demand inducement, consumer-inducement demand and the health market-driven economy. This was desk-based study. A review of secondary data and literatures relative to caesarean section births in Africa were used for discussion. Findings from literatures revealed that a number of considerations have to be taken such as: demand inducement and information asymmetry, defensive and corporate medicine, medical power, consumer induced demand and health market driven economy. The findings informed health regulators on demand and supply sides of caesarean sections.
Highlights
IntroductionIn order to respond obstetricians and reproductive health professionals have put in place a number of health strategies to reduce maternal mortality
In the last decade in Africa, maternal mortality remains a public health concern
This paper examines the socio-ethical issues in caesarean section in Africa
Summary
In order to respond obstetricians and reproductive health professionals have put in place a number of health strategies to reduce maternal mortality. Among these strategies, we have emergency obstetric care (EOC). An author argued that the growing normalization of care givers recommendations and women’s request for CS outside of clear compelling and well-supported medical indications constitute a profound cultural shift. The unprecedented and steady rise in the rates of CS have led to increased research, debates and concerns among health care professionals, governments, policy-makers, scientists and clinicians The unprecedented and steady rise in the rates of CS have led to increased research, debates and concerns among health care professionals, governments, policy-makers, scientists and clinicians (Meeta G., Garg V. 2017; Margo S. et al 2016; WHO, 2015; Kaur J. et al 2013)
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