Obstetricians' perspective towards cesarean section delivery based on professional level: experience from Egypt

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Medical Education
• Public Health

Background:

• Rising cesarean section (CS) rates are a global concern.
• Understanding obstetricians' perspectives on delivery methods and skills is crucial for informed practice.
• Egyptian obstetricians' views on maternal request CS and underutilized skills require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Egyptian obstetricians' attitudes toward cesarean delivery on maternal request.
• To evaluate views on "potentially neglected" obstetrical skills: external cephalic version (ECV), fetal scalp pH measurement, and tubal ligation during CS.
• To examine the influence of professional level on these obstetrician attitudes.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study utilizing a structured questionnaire.
• Survey conducted among 167 obstetricians (consultants, specialists, registrars) at Suez Canal University's 8th annual conference in Egypt.
• Data collected on views regarding cesarean delivery on maternal request and specific obstetrical skills.

Main Results:

• 66% accepted cesarean delivery on maternal request, with higher acceptance among consultants.
• Limited acceptance for external cephalic version (14%) and fetal scalp pH measurement (16.3%).
• Significant differences in attitudes were observed across professional levels and institutions.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge gaps, suboptimal clinical skills, and professional attitudes may contribute to increasing cesarean section rates in Egypt.
• Further training and guideline reinforcement are needed for potentially neglected obstetrical skills.
• Addressing these factors is essential for improving obstetric care practices in Egypt.