PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTABILITY OF PREGNANT WOMEN TOWARDS CAESAREAN SECTION IN NIGERIA

*Abubakar A. Panti, Asmau M. Nasir, Abdulhadi D. Saidu, Jamila A.  Garba, Karima A. Tunau and Rukayya Ibrahim

ABSTRACT

Background: Caesarean section remains the most common major operation performed on women worldwide and rate is increasing. Mortality and morbidity from pregnancy and labour related causes have been observed to be high in developing nations, especially those of sub-Sahara Africa. Significant aspect of these causes can be averted by timely Caesarean section. There is therefore the need to appraise the procedure frequently especially with a view to evaluating factors militating against the acceptance of this life saving procedure. The study was conducted to assess the knowledge, acceptance and perception of Caesarean section among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 200 pregnant women seen at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching hospital Sokoto between 1stOctober to 31st December 2015. Using an interviewer administered questionnaire, participants were scored for knowledge and perception; acceptance of Caesarean section was also assessed. Results: Majority (85.5%) had good knowledge of Caesarean section, and 77.5% viewed the procedure as an acceptable mode of delivery and will accept it if indicated. In the study, 193(96.5%) had good perception of C/S. Perception of denial of womanhood, pain, high cost and fear of death were the main reasons why some would not accept Caesarean section. Conclusion: This study showed a good knowledge, acceptance and perception of Caesarean section. This is against the wide assertion of aversion to C/s in developing countries.

Keywords: Caeserean Section, knowledge, aversion, acceptance.