Preference of the mode of delivery and its influencing factors among pregnant mothers from Batticaloa MOH Division

Abstract

Cesarean section (CS) rates have been rising around the world despite no associated improvement in maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Maternal preference was mostly cited nonmedical factors contributing to the rise in cesarean sections. Sri Lanka is one of the countries exceeded the WHO ideal limit of CS. However, there is a there is a scarcity of data on preference of delivery mode and the factors associated with the preference in Sri Lanka. This study was aimed to study the preference and influencing factors on the mode of delivery among pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinics in Batticaloa MOH division and to determine the association between preference of mode of delivery and socio demographic factors of pregnant mothers. A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant mothers who were attended to the antenatal clinics in Batticaloa MOH area from January to December 2022. Total 288 of participants were selected using a systematic sampling method. A pre tested, structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Statistical package for the social sciences 26 (SPSS V.26) was used to enter and analyze the data. Majority 237 (82.3%) of the participants preferred vaginal delivery. . Preference of the vaginal delivery was mainly influenced by faster recover after delivery, natural delivery process, beneficial for breast feeding and desire to experience giving birth whereas previous cesarean section, fear of pain during vaginal delivery, concern of health inadequate physiological tolerance, feeling of incapability for vaginal delivery were the factors influenced preference of cesarean section. Maternal age, family income, gravidity and sector where the last delivery occurred showed significant association with maternal preference (p<0.05). As the maternal preference for CS is not much high, there can be other factors contributing to the higher number of cesarean section in this region. Educating pregnant women/family on indications, risks and benefits of CS is a promising strategy to avoid non-medical cesarean sections.