Keywords
Socioeconomic factors
Maternal and child health
How to Cite
Copyright © | All rights reserved.
The journal holds the exclusive copyright for the publication of this article under the terms of Brazilian law 9610/98.
Partial reproduction
The use of parts of the texts, figures and questionnaire of the article is free, being mandatory the citation of the authors and journal.
Total reproduction
It is expressly prohibited and must be authorized by the journal.
Abstract
Objective: To critically analyze the relationship between the increasing number of cesarean deliveries over the years and their main causes using an integrative literature review approach. Methods: This is an integrative bibliographic review study using the PubMed electronic database. A total of 15 articles were selected for this study. Results: The findings indicate a global increase in cesarean deliveries over the years, especially in Asian and African countries, primarily among women with higher socioeconomic status. Recent studies suggest social, cultural, economic, and medical decision factors as possible causes of this rise. Negative outcomes, such as healing complications, higher infection risks, and even death, were highlighted. Furthermore, the results show that scientifically proven changes in the perinatal care model, involving multidisciplinary teams, pregnant women, and hospital facilities, can reduce unnecessary cesareans without increasing risks, emphasizing the importance of best practices. Final considerations: Raising awareness about the rise in cesarean deliveries is essential, considering the various contributing factors and informing about the potential benefits and risks of this type of delivery.
References
AMJAD A, et al. Trends of caesarean section deliveries in Pakistan: secondary data analysis from Demographic and Health Surveys, 1990–2018. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2020; 20(753): 1-13.
AZIMIRAD A. Cesarean section beyond Cesar’s borders: a mini review on the cultural history of cesarean section high prevalence rates in the Middle East. Archives of Iranian Medicine, 2020; 23(5): 335-337.
BETRAN AP, et al. Trends and projections of caesarean section rates: global and regional estimates. BMJ Global Health, 2021; 6(6): 5671.
BHANDARI AKC, et al. Trends and correlates of cesarean section rates over two decades in Nepal. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2020; 20(763): 1-13.
COLOMAR M, et al. Do women prefer caesarean sections? A qualitative evidence synthesis of their views and experiences. PLoS one, 2021; 15(5): 251072.
DORJI T, et al. Rates and indications of caesarean section deliveries in Bhutan 2015–2019: a national review. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2021; 21(1): 698.
HARRISON MS, et al. Cesarean birth in the Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research: trends in utilization, risk factors, and subgroups with high cesarean birth rates. Reproductive health, 2020; 17(165): 1-10.
MORAN PS, et al. Economic implications of reducing caesarean section rates–Analysis of two health systems. Plos one, 2020; 15(7): 228309.
NEDBERG IH, et al. Factors associated with cesarean section among primiparous women in Georgia: a registry-based study. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 2020; 10(4): 337-343.
NEGRINI R, el al. Strategies to reduce the caesarean section rate in a private hospital and their impact. Revista BMJ Open Qual, 2021; 10(3): 1-9.
NUAMPA S, et al. "Because it eases my Childbirth Plan”: a qualitative study on factors contributing to preferences for caesarean section in Thailand. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2023; 23(1): 280.
O'CONNELL MA, et al. Interventions for fear of childbirth including tocophobia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021; 7: 1-62.
PANDEY AK, et al. Alarming Trends of Cesarean Section—Time to Rethink: Evidence From a Large-Scale Cross-sectional Sample Survey in India. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2023; 25: 41892.
PIRES RCR, el al. Temporal trends and projections of caesarean sections in Brazil, its administrative macro-regions, and federative units. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 2023; 28: 2119-213.
SHABILA NP. Trends and changes in cesarean delivery rates in Iraq: findings from the multiple indicator cluster surveys, 2011–2018. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine, 2021; 35(25): 6272-6277.
SHARMA J, et al. Prevalence of Repeat Cesarean Section in a Tertiry Care Hospital. JNMA: Journal of the Nepal Medical Association, 2020; 58(229): 650.
SORRENTINO F, et al. Caesarean Section on Maternal Request-Ethical and Juridic Issues: A Narrative Review. Medicina, 2022; 58(9): 1255.
TURNER MJ, et al. Cesarean sections rates in women in the Republic of Ireland who chose to attend their obstetrician privately: a retrospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2020; 20(548): 1-7.
TURNER MJ. Delivery after a previus cesarean section reviewed. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2023; 163(3): 757-762.
YAN J, et al. The trend of caesarean birth rate changes in China after ‘universal two-child policy’era: a population-based study in 2013–2018. BMC medicine, 2020; 18(249): 1-9.