Fatemeh Darsareh1, Teamur Aghamolaei2, Minoo Rajaei3, Abdoulhossain Madani1, Shahram Zare4. 1. Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. 2. Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Electronic address: teaghamolaei@gmail.com. 3. Hormozgan Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. 4. Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although vaginal birth is the safest type of childbirth, sometimes caesarean is necessary for the safety of the mother or the infant. The problem is that low-risk, healthy women are choosing caesarean as a birth option despite the fact that it is fraught with possible complications. AIM: To determine the differences and identify the predictors for the way women plan their childbirth based on Health Belief Model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bandar abbas city, Iran, from May to October 2015. The study recruited eligible women who self identified themselves as requesting a caesarean or vaginal birth in their response to a questionnaire. FINDINGS: Of 470 recruited women, 183 (38.9%) planned to have a caesarean without medical indication. Maternal characteristics (age, level of education, occupational status, involvement in a medical profession, and household income) and obstetric variables (health provider type, place of prenatal care, and the number of children planned for the future) influenced the decisions made by the women. There was a significant difference between women planning a caesarean and those planning vaginal birth in terms of childbirth knowledge. Significant differences were observed regarding maternal self-efficacy, with women planning a caesarean reporting significantly lower self-efficacy than women planning a vaginal birth. Women planning a caesarean birth were also significantly less likely to perceive themselves as being at risk for caesarean-related side effects than women planning a vaginal birth. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive childbirth knowledge can lead to positive maternal attitude towards vaginal birth and may improve birth confidence.
BACKGROUND: Although vaginal birth is the safest type of childbirth, sometimes caesarean is necessary for the safety of the mother or the infant. The problem is that low-risk, healthy women are choosing caesarean as a birth option despite the fact that it is fraught with possible complications. AIM: To determine the differences and identify the predictors for the way women plan their childbirth based on Health Belief Model. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bandar abbas city, Iran, from May to October 2015. The study recruited eligible women who self identified themselves as requesting a caesarean or vaginal birth in their response to a questionnaire. FINDINGS: Of 470 recruited women, 183 (38.9%) planned to have a caesarean without medical indication. Maternal characteristics (age, level of education, occupational status, involvement in a medical profession, and household income) and obstetric variables (health provider type, place of prenatal care, and the number of children planned for the future) influenced the decisions made by the women. There was a significant difference between women planning a caesarean and those planning vaginal birth in terms of childbirth knowledge. Significant differences were observed regarding maternal self-efficacy, with women planning a caesarean reporting significantly lower self-efficacy than women planning a vaginal birth. Women planning a caesarean birth were also significantly less likely to perceive themselves as being at risk for caesarean-related side effects than women planning a vaginal birth. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive childbirth knowledge can lead to positive maternal attitude towards vaginal birth and may improve birth confidence.