Attitude toward Cesarean Section among Primigravids at Krathum Bean Hospital, Samut Sakhon Province

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine attitude toward cesarean section in primi-gravidas opinions regarding body image, medical management and the relationships between atti-tude toward cesarean section and the following factors : demographic-economic characteristics,individual characteristics (period of pregnancy, type of antepartum care, experience in vaginal birth,having received information about cesarean section and knowledge about cesarean section) and theopinions. Three hundred and ninety four primigravidas who had never undergone cesarean sectionwere followed up at the outpatient antepartum care unit of Krathum Baen hospital. Subjects wereinterviewed from December 2007 to March 2008, by using structured questionnaires. Data wereanalyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and chi-square tests.

The results of this study indicated that the subjects’ attitude toward cesarean section were at amoderate level. Opinions regarding body image were at a moderate to high level but did not differgreatly on the ranking scale. Opinions on medical management were at a moderate level. The factorswhich were significantly (p<0.05) related to the values toward cesarean sections were age, educa-tion, families’ incomes, type of antepartum care, experience in vaginal birth, having received infor-mation about cesarean section, opinion regarding body image and medical management.

This study shows that cesarean section had been promoted among primigravidas who hadmoderate and low socio-economic status which might encourage interest in delivery by cesareansection. Relevant institutions should focus on moderate and low status pregnant women’ lack ofknowledge, and provide health information to primigravida, in order to improve safety in delivery.