The Impact of Educational Level on Anesthesia Preference in Caesarean Section Surgeries

Objective: In recent years spinal anesthesia has been preferred to general anesthesia for caesarean section. However, some patients opt for general anesthesia due to concerns such as fear of pain during surgery, postoperative headache, and lack of knowledge about anesthesia techniques. The primary aim of this study is to determine the impact of the educational level of pregnant women and their partners on anesthesia preferences for elective caesarean section. Methods: Our study is a prospective observational cohort study, including 186 patients over the age of 18 who underwent elective cesarean section at Muş State Hospital between May 6, 2024, and July 31, 2024. The patients were divided into two groups according to their anesthesia preferences: Spinal (n=93) and General (n=93). Education level, age, BMI (Body Mass Index), gestational week, medical history and parity of the patients and their partners were recorded. Results: Significant differences in anesthetic preferences were found according to the educational level of the women. Statistically significant differences in anesthesia preferences were observed between university graduates and middle school graduates (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 respectively). Similarly, significant differences were found between partners' educational levels, especially between university and primary school graduates (p < 0.001 and p = 0.019 respectively). The effects of BMI, age, gestational week and parity on anesthesia preferences were not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study shows that educational level plays an important role in anesthesia preferences for caesarean section. Individuals with higher levels of education were found to prefer spinal anesthesia. Effective implementation of preoperative education processes is crucial for informed decision making and patient satisfaction.