Prevalence and Indications for Cesarean Section at District Hospital Tehrathum, Nepal

Abstract

Aims: Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most common obstetric operative procedures. Rising rate of caesarean section since few decades has been a global public health issue. This study was done to determine the prevalence and indications for cesarean section at District hospital, Tehrathum. 

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all cases of delivery at District Hospital, Tehrathum from Jan 2018 to Jan 2023 were included. Case files of 262 patients who underwent cesarean section for various indications were analysed for prevalence, indications for cesarean section, parity and fetal outcomes. 

Results: Out of 1709 deliveries, 15.3% had cesarean section. Most of the cesarean section were done for fetal distress (19.5%) followed by non-progression of labor (18.3%). Majority of the cesarean section (38.9%) were done in age group 20-24 years. Most of the patients were primigravida (57.6%;). Emergency cesarean section was performed in 87% cases. In our study 81.7% and 97.7% newborns had APGAR score of seven or more at one and five minutes respectively. 

Conclusions: The CS prevalence in our study was little higher than the WHO recommendation. The leading indications of CS were fetal distress and non-progression of labor. There were no major complications seen in mothers or newborns following CS.