Prevalence and Financial Implications of Primary Caesarean Section among Primigravida and Multiparous Women in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria

Background: To achieve the sustainable development goal of lowering maternal death rates, it's crucial to enhance the availability of obstetric procedures, including cesarean sections. The restricted access of women to both routine and emergency obstetric care in Nigeria significantly contributes to the worldwide maternal mortality rates.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of primary caesarean section among primigravida and multiparous women in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 142 women at Specialist teaching hospital Irrua, Employing a systematic and random sample technique. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 software for descriptive statistics. The Chi square test was used to test for association, the level of significance was set as p < 0.05.

Results: It was discovered that Two-third (63%) of the participants has had caesarean section, As regards the prevalence of primary Caesarean section among multiparous women, this study observed that about a few of the respondents (11.3%) had Caesarean section for the first time in their pregnancy. On the financial implications, this study revealed that two-third (66.7%) paid between ₦10,000-₦49,000 ($7-$33 and majority (80.3%) that did Cesarean section paid about ₦100,000 - ₦299,000 ($66-$197) this was due to the circumstance surrounding the Caesarean section done or peculiar to each woman and depending on the complication that resulted. The study revealed that the statistical significance (p=0.04) for the method of payment, childbirth, and caesarean section from pocket money was more.

Conclusion: Findings from this study shows that prevalence of Cesarean section is more common in the primigravida than in the multiparous women as being pregnant for the first time as they are more prone to conditions like prolong labor, fetal distress and obstructed labor. The study also indicates that majority paid out of pocket and a few respondents were insured.