Knowledge, Attitude and Acceptability of Cesarean Section Among Pregnant Women in the Cape Coast Metropolis

ABSTRACT

The study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude, and acceptability of cesarean section (CS) among pregnant women in the Cape Coast Metropolis (CCM). Descriptive cross sectional study design was employed in the study. The study population was pregnant women in the CCM. A sample size of 384 participants were involved in the study. The study was a facility-based study, and accidental sampling technique was used to sample respondents from the health facilities in the CCM. A researcher generated questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Data was entered into SPSS version 21.0 and descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages, chi-square test and logistics regression were used to analyse data. Majority of the respondents had high knowledge (78%), and positive attitude (89%) towards CS. Acceptability of CS was low (34%) among respondents. High knowledge was associated with CS acceptability (χ2 = 6.88; p = 0.032), whiles attitude did not (χ2 = 0.07; p = 0.79). Religions acceptability of CS (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = [1.53-5.55], p =.00) was the only socio-cultural variable that influenced CS acceptability (OR = 2.91, 95% CI = [1.53-5.55], p =.00). Demographic variables such as ethnicity (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = [1.18-9.07], p = .02), income (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = [1.09-4.58], p = .03), and parity (OR = 39.5, 95% CI = [1.35-1156], p = .03) significantly influenced CS acceptability. It was concluded that if pregnant women have knowledge on CS, they will accept CS if indicated to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It was therefore recommended that there should be ongoing education at the antenatal clinics on CS and vaginal delivery to update pregnant women’s knowledge and reduce misconceptions about CS as well as reduction in maternal mortality associated with delayed labour.