Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Cesarean Section among Women in Delta State, Nigeria: Implications for Maternal Health Interventions

Abstract

Background: Cesarean section (CS) is a surgical procedure by which the mother is incised in the abdominal region during child delivery. The study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception of women to cesarean section among Deltan women. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-four Deltan women were involved in the study. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design, and a questionnaire followed by a personal interview was used to collect the data. The Deltan women were sampled using a cluster sampling technique. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the International Business Machine Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS), version 23. Results: The study reveals that most women understand CS as a surgical opening of the womb (73.7%). In comparison, a smaller group viewed it as an aid for delivery due to laziness (17.7%), or did not know of it (7.8%). Most women (67.4%) had not undergone CS, yet over two-thirds (73.4%) consider it safe, with 78.6% recommending it. Common reasons for opting for CS include prolonged labor (32.8%) and a large baby (27.1%). Although 79.2% view CS as a suitable delivery option, factors such as fear of death (7.0%) and societal stigma (1.6%) contribute to some women rejecting it. Notably, 88.3% believe CS saves lives, and most do not associate it with spiritual or physical detriment. The cost, fear, and potential social trauma are major concerns, though 71.6% disagree that CS affects a woman’s dignity. Conclusion: The southern women have a high level of knowledge of CS. Nonetheless, these women still possess a minimal level of negative attitude and unwillingness to accept CS.