Socioeconomic, demographic, and nutritional factors associated with cesarean deliveries among childbearing women in Bangladesh

Abstract

Cesarean section (CS) delivery significantly impacts mother and infant health and could be harmful if done excessively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors (socioeconomic, demographic, and nutritional) for CS delivery among childbearing women in Bangladesh. This study was carried out using a cross-sectional study, and the data was collected in two phases. In the first phase, a sample of 404 observations was collected and 193 observations were also collected in the second phase. A convenience sampling technique was applied to collect data. Data were collected between June to September 2022. This study used Pearson’s Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression model to identify the association and impact of explanatory variables on CS delivery. The prevalence of CS was 73% among women in Bangladesh. Multivariate logistic regression showed that mothers (OR: 4.16) and fathers (OR: 2.139) with higher education are approximately four and two times more likely to have CS than parents with primary schooling. This research also demonstrates that a family history of ASD has a higher chance (OR: 2.654) of having CS deliveries than those without such a history. Moreover, any specific maternal illness during pregnancy such as diabetes (OR: 2.377) significantly raised the odds of giving birth mostly through CS. The current study recommends that proper medical guidelines, awareness-raising, doctor commitment, government policy, and stringent supervision of private health institutions are required to manage high cesarean birth rates. Bangladesh's policy guidelines on CS births are desperately needed to minimize unnecessary CS deliveries.