Women's Preference for Type of Delivery and Rates of Cesarean Sections in Brazil, 2010-2013

Objective: To investigate an associations between women’s preference for type of delivery and rates of cesarean section at the Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina in 2010-2013.

Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed data from all deliveries occurred in a university hospital, in South Brazil, in this period.

Results: The preference for cesarean delivery was reported by 15.3% of the 4,853 women in the study. The proportion of cesarean sections was higher among women with a preference for cesarean section (60.1%) compared to those prefering a normal delivery (31.1%). However, an association between the preference for cesarean delivery and the occurrence of this type of delivery was significantly mediated by age, previous cesarean section and early admission, after adjustment for these covariates (Non-adjusted PR=2,13(1,89;2,39) versus Adjusted PR=1,31(0,88-1,21).

Conclusion: Women ‘s preference for the type of delivery at the university hospital did not play an important role in the final decision for type of delivery,at the study site.

Keywords: Cross-Sectional Studies; Cesarean Section;Delivery;Patient Preferences; Obstetrics; Public Hospitals.