Ehigha Enabudoso1, Solomon Igbarumah. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. drehigha@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of maternal autonomy in a Nigerian community using maternal preference to sign the consent for caesarean section as the assessment tool and to evaluate the sociodemographic and obstetric correlates. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of parturients 2-5 days after caesarean delivery in a tertiary health facility in Benin City, Nigeria using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire to obtain information on whom they would prefer to sign the consent form for caesarean section. RESULTS: A total of 197 parturients were interviewed. The consent form was signed by 177 (90%) of the respondents. However, 96 (48.7%) preferred their spouses to sign. Maternal attainment of tertiary level education and a higher mean maternal age was significantly associated with maternal preference to sign the consent form. CONCLUSION: The level of maternal autonomy on reproductive health issues based on this simple survey is less than satisfactory. However, this study has provided baseline data for surveillance and follow-up studies of this important variable.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of maternal autonomy in a Nigerian community using maternal preference to sign the consent for caesarean section as the assessment tool and to evaluate the sociodemographic and obstetric correlates. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of parturients 2-5 days after caesarean delivery in a tertiary health facility in Benin City, Nigeria using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire to obtain information on whom they would prefer to sign the consent form for caesarean section. RESULTS: A total of 197 parturients were interviewed. The consent form was signed by 177 (90%) of the respondents. However, 96 (48.7%) preferred their spouses to sign. Maternal attainment of tertiary level education and a higher mean maternal age was significantly associated with maternal preference to sign the consent form. CONCLUSION: The level of maternal autonomy on reproductive health issues based on this simple survey is less than satisfactory. However, this study has provided baseline data for surveillance and follow-up studies of this important variable.