Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Selection of Elective Cesarian Section among Postnatal Women Admitted to German-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital for Women, Galle

Abstract

Background: With the increasing rates of the caesarean deliveries, understanding of the empowerment provides by the maternal knowledge and attitudes in making the choice of having abdominal delivery is crucial. Objective: To evaluate the maternal knowledge and attitudes in clinical decision-making of elective caesarean section surgery in the German-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital for Women, Galle Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 106 postnatal women who had undergone Elective Lower Section Caesarean Section (EL/LSCS) in the hospital, with their consent. A pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0 and interpreted using appropriate descriptive statistics. Chi- square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables. Results: The majority (97.2%) of women were knowledgeable about caesarean section. A smaller number of women (13.2%) had undergone a caesarean section upon their own request. The majority (75.5%) of the women agreed that they were aware of their right to make decisions about EL/LSCS. A mass preponderance (78.3%) of women had made their decision on the same day. A significant proportion (77.4%) of women had received enough opportunity to receive balanced information, to discuss and clarifications, to get timely information and to involve support persons when making their decision about EL/LSCS. The most of the postnatal women in the sample (91.5%) had agreed with their medical care provider about how to proceed with the procedure. The women which had been undergone only a past caesarean delivery is 34%. A few numbers of women (16%) had undergone two caesarean deliveries or more. The attitudes that showed a more significant association (p<0.05) with their decision of caesarean delivery was level of anxiety and fear (p=0.012) and the educational status (p=0.013). Fear of pain (p<0.001), sexual problems (p<0.001), organ prolapse (p=0.01), and safety issues (p<0.000) were the other attitudes associated with considered decision-making aspects. Conclusions: This study shows high maternal knowledge of caesarean section and strong awareness of decision-making rights to involve in the decision-making process along with their consultant. It highlights the importance of providing balanced information and emotional support to the women when the decision is made to select elective caesarean delivery.