Evidence on prevalence of caesarean sections and factors influencing uptake in Ghana: a scoping review protocol

The World Health Organisation recommends a target rate of 10% to 15% of births by caesarean sections (CS) to save lives. According to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey report (2022), Ghana's CS rate is now 21% which is similar to the global rate. The objective of this scoping review is to explore what is known about the prevalence of CS and its uptake across Ghana. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies, as well as published grey literature, exploring the prevalence of CS, as well as the barriers and facilitators influencing CS uptake in Ghana, will be included. This review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidelines for scoping reviews, and it will report findings in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Database searches will be conducted in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL (EBSCO). The Theoretical Domains Framework will be used to examine the factors influencing healthcare professionals' recommendations for CS to women, as well as women's choices regarding undergoing a CS or not. The results will be presented descriptively and in a visual format. The findings will underpin recommendations for future research, policy and practice to support health improvement, and optimal use of CS in Ghana.