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Increased cesarean section rates in Turkey
1Hacettepe University, Institute of Population Studies, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
Cesarean section rates in Turkey significantly increased from 5.7% to 20.8% over a decade, with higher rates linked to maternal education and socioeconomic status. Reducing these rates is crucial for a sustainable healthcare system and improved maternal health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Reproductive Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Cesarean section (CS) rates have been rising globally, prompting investigations into contributing factors and implications.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has established maximum recommended CS rates, which many countries now exceed.
- Understanding trends and determinants of CS in specific regions like Turkey is vital for targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the trend of Cesarean section deliveries in Turkey over a ten-year period.
- To identify key factors associated with Cesarean section births in Turkey.
- To assess the implications of rising CS rates on the healthcare system and maternal health.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1998 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS-98), focusing on ever-married women.
- Employed logistic regression analysis to determine factors associated with CS births during 1993-1998.
- Examined CS rates in relation to maternal demographics, education, age, prenatal care, and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- Cesarean section rates in Turkey surged from 5.7% to 20.8% in the decade preceding 1998.
- In 1998, 26.1% of hospital births were Cesarean sections, with an estimated rate of 30% by 2001.
- Higher maternal education, advanced maternal age, hospital delivery, adequate prenatal care, and greater household welfare were significantly associated with increased CS rates.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a dramatic increase in Cesarean sections in Turkey, exceeding WHO recommendations.
- Women with higher socioeconomic status and education are more likely to undergo Cesarean births.
- A reduction in Cesarean section rates is a public health priority in Turkey to ensure quality reproductive care and decrease maternal morbidity and mortality.