Factors associated with the very high caesarean section rate in urban areas of Vietnam

Abstract

Background Caesarean section and associated factors require detailed investigation globally. This study aims to determine the rate and associated factors of caesarean deliveries in urban areas of Vietnam. Methods A cross-sectional study using questionnaire answered by women who had infants aged under 30 months was conducted from March to May 2021. Data were collected in 18 commune health centres in two cities during the day of routine immunization. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with caesarean section. Results The overall caesarean section rate was 49.6%. The caesarean section rate in private hospitals (57.8%) were significantly higher than in public hospitals (49.1%). Caesarean section rate in first-time mothers (47.1%) were as high as this rate among mothers who had given birth before (50.6%). Factors associated with higher rate of caesarean section include increasing in women’s age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and infant’s birth weight; first-time mothers; mothers living in urban areas; and mothers giving birth in private hospitals. Conclusions This study revealed a high rate of caesarean deliveries in urban areas of Vietnam. Comprehensive investigations of both medical and non-medical reasons for caesarean deliveries in Vietnam are urgent needs to shape the prioritized interventions.

Strong Negative Association between Cesarean Delivery and Early Initiation of Breastfeeding Practices among Vietnamese Mothers—A Secondary Analysis of the Viet Nam Sustainable Development Goal Indicators on Children and Women Survey

“…Moreover, this increase in cesarean deliveries was more evident in urban areas and at private hospitals. The reason for this rapid increase may be the preference of Vietnamese mothers in these settings due to their desire to avoid the harmful effects of vaginal delivery [44][45][46]. In the present study, 28.1% of Vietnamese mothers underwent cesarean section, and the prevalence of EIBF among mothers who underwent cesarean section was considerably lower than those who delivered vaginally (9.0% vs. 31.9%).…”

“…However, the rapid increase in the proportion of cesarean deliveries among Vietnamese mothers must have had a substantial effect. The proportion of cesarean deliveries in Vietnam drastically increased from 17% in 2011 to approximately 50% in the current time [44][45][46]. Moreover, this increase in cesarean deliveries was more evident in urban areas and at private hospitals.…”

“…The two largest cities and the majority of private hospitals in Vietnam are located in the Red River and Mekong River Delta areas. Many mothers living in these areas prefer cesarean delivery to vaginal delivery without exact medical indications and seek private hospitals to give birth [46,53]. Indeed, in the vaginal-delivery mothers group, the decline in EIBF practice of mothers living in this area was modest, as indicated by the fact that mothers in this area who delivered vaginally were 0.87 times more likely to practice EIBF than those in other regions, indicating undetected factors other than cesarean section that need to be assessed (Table S3).…”

Patterns of Breastfeeding Practices among Mothers in Two Urban Cities in Vietnam

“…23,28 Unfortunately, the caesarean section rate in Vietnam are as high as 50% which are showed in both current study and previous studies. 29,30 .The results of our study showed that using bottle feeding of expressed breast milk to an infant was associated with decreased odds of continued breastfeeding at 12 months. In recent years, the prevalence of expressing breast milk has been increasing.…”

Caesarean section delivery rates and associated factors in a faith-based referral hospital in Ghana: A retrospective analysis

“…In Southeastern Brazil, the overall caesarean section rate was the highest rates among women whose deliveries were in a private health facility [ 27 ]. Similarly, the caesarean section rate in private hospitals (57.8%) was significantly higher than in public hospitals in Vietnam (49.1%) [ 28 ] and likewise in the Republic of Ireland (42.7% vs 25.3%) respectively [ 29 ]. One possible explanation for this increase in prevalence is that the hospital serves as a referral centre for the municipality and other adjourning districts, which may contribute to higher cases and a higher prevalence of caesarean section.…”