Rates and implications of caesarean sections in Latin America: ecological study.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the incidences of caesarean sections in Latin American countries and correlate these with socioeconomic, demographic, and healthcare variables.


METHODS
Descriptive and ecological study.


METHODS
19 Latin American countries.


METHODS
National estimates of caesarean section rates in each country.


RESULTS
Seven countries had caesarean section rates below 15%. The remaining 12 countries had rates above 15% (range 16.8% to 40.0%). These 12 countries account for 81% of the deliveries in the region. A positive and significant correlation was observed between the gross national product per capita and rate of caesarean section (r(s)=0.746), and higher rates were observed in private hospitals than in public ones. Taking 15% as a medically justified accepted rate, over 850 000 unnecessary caesarean sections are performed each year in the region.


CONCLUSIONS
The reported figures represent an unnecessary increased risk for young women and their babies. From the economic perspective, this is a burden to health systems that work with limited budgets.
Belizán
J M
JM
Latin American Centre for Perinatology, Pan American Health Organisation, World Health Organisation, Hospital de Clínicas s/n, 11000 Montevideo, Uruguay. belizanj@clap.ops-oms.org
Althabe
F
F
Barros
F C
FC
Alexander
S
S
D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data