Factors Associated with the Incidence of Cesarean Section at Alkhums Teaching Hospitals Libya

الملخص

The cesarean section is one of the most performed surgeries, it is a lifesaving procedure when performed in the right situation. Several factors related to mothers were found to have direct effects on the incidence of cesarean section as maternal age and some medical conditions like a past obstetric history of mothers with previous cesarean delivery. WHO has determined the normal range for cesarean deliveries at 5-15 % of all deliveries, globally cesarean rates excessed this range for high levels. This case-control study aims to investigate a group of factors that may influence these high rates of cesarean sections at Alkhums teaching hospitals. 149 cases and 144 control were involved in the analysis to test the effect of several factors on type of delivery, we found that factors like age >30 (OR=1.7), a previous cesarean delivery (OR=19), doctor decision (OR=212) and patient decisions (OR=3.9), daytime of admission (OR=4.6), labor signs at home (OR=17.4), non-cephalic fetal presentation (OR=12), ruptured membranes (OR=2.2) were significantly associated with cesarean section. Other factors such as gestational hypertension, fetal distress, and third trimester bleeding were found to be insignificant. Conclusion: findings indicate that the high rates of cesarean sections are not primarily linked to major medical indications for life-saving interventions for either the mother or the fetus. Instead, controllable factors, such as the decisions made by doctors and mothers.