Acceptance of caesarean section among pregnant women in Nigeria

Background: Maternal mortality is unacceptably high in low-resource countries. This is disturbing, considering that some of these deaths are preventable through caesarean section. Aims: To determine the perception and factors associated with the acceptance of caesarean section among high-risk pregnant women. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was used and 300 respondents were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: The majority (80.3%) of respondents accepted caesarean section as a mode of birth, of which 47.3% would accept reluctantly if there was clinical indication. The acceptance of caesarean section had its strongest relationship with lack of information (P<0.001; ø=-0.285), followed by religious restriction (P<0.001; ø=-0.218), and partner's support/opinion (P<0.001; ø=-0.209). Conclusions: Most of the respondents perceived caesarean section positively, and accepted it as a mode of birth. Many also identified factors influencing their acceptance of the procedure.