Perception of women attending antenatal clinic in a teaching hospital in southeast of Nigeria toward caesarean section

Michael Nnaemeka Ajemba 1, *, Ebube Chinwe Arene 2, Chinemerem Henry Ugo 2 and Ikenna Kelechi Anyadike 2

1 Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
 
Research Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 05(02), 086–097
Article DOI: 10.30574/msarr.2022.5.2.0060
Publication history: 
Received on 22 July  2022; revised on 27 August 2022; accepted on 29 August 2022
 
Abstract: 
Despite the advancement in medicine and surgery, cesarean section (C-section) is still treated with suspicion and aversion in Nigeria. This study examined the perception of women attending antenatal clinic in a Teaching Hospital towards caesarean section as well as identified factors that influence the acceptance and non-acceptance of the operation. A total of 136 women were studied in this descriptive survey study at Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Awka, Nigeria. Data collection was between 1st of June to the 1st of July, 2022. A pre-tested questionnaire was adopted and filled through face to face interview. The hypothesis was tested using chi-square analysis and percentage was calculated. The demographic features of the subjects revealed that the women were between the ages of 18-49 years. The majority (43.4%) of the respondents were university graduates and (8.8%) were illiterates. About (11.8%) were high income earners. Also, 30% of the respondents would strongly disagree to have C-section even when medically indicated. The result of the study showed that C-section as a delivery procedure was unacceptable among low income earners and illiterates. The subjects have a good knowledge of the essence of C-section.
 
Keywords: 
Perception; Cesarean section; Antenatal; Hospital; Attending; Acceptance
 
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