Knowledge of caesarean section and its complications among women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary facility

Abstract

Background: Caesarean section is a common surgical procedure performed to deliver a baby when a vaginal birth poses risks to the mother or child. Understanding the procedure among pregnant women could influence their perception of the procedure. This study therefore aimed to assess the knowledge of Caesarean sections among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, involving 131 consenting pregnant women attending antenatal care at UBTH. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Data were collected through structured questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) 26.0, and p values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: The findings reveal that while 91.6% of respondents understood the meaning of caesarean section. There are gaps in knowledge regarding specific issues, such as the safety of the procedure and its implications for future pregnancies. The study highlights that fear of surgery (67.9%), financial constraints (64.9%), and cultural influences (55.0%) are major barriers to accepting the procedure. Infection, bleeding and anaesthetic injuries were recognized as possible complications of caesarean section in 65.6% of respondents.

Conclusions: The study underscores the need for targeted educational interventions and supportive counseling that involve both women and their families to address misconceptions regarding caesarean section.