Factors associated with unjustified Cesarean section in four hospitals in Cali, Colombia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the factors associated with unjustified Cesarean section.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Four hospitals providing obstetric services, two that serve patients insured through their employer (contributive regimen) and two that serve privately insured patients, in Cali, Colombia.


METHODS
Four hundred and sixteen patients with Cesarean section performed in 1996 because of previous Cesarean section, dystocia, acute fetal distress, breech presentation and maternal choice. Patients with toxemia, diabetes, hypertension and other related diseases were excluded.


METHODS
Unjustified Cesarean section.


RESULTS
Of primary Cesarean sections 81.2% were unjustified. Dystocia was the indication given for unjustified surgeries in 78% of cases. Hospital No. 2 had the highest proportion of unjustified procedures compared to the other three institutions. Patients for whom the procedure had been decided before prelabor and on whom it was performed between 7:00 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. had higher proportions of unjustified procedures.
Gómez
O L
OL
Division of Health, FES Foundation, Cali, Colombia. cidap@fes.org.co
Carrasquilla
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health