[Factors associated with preference for cesarean delivery].
OBJECTIVE
To study factors related to preference for cesarean delivery, among pregnant women without medical complications.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 156 pregnant women, in a private clinic in the city of Osasco, State of São Paulo, from October 2000 to December 2001. The pregnant women were at 28 weeks of pregnancy or more, with no formal contraindication for vaginal delivery at the time of the interview. Sociodemographic data and past and present obstetric history were assessed by applying a questionnaire. The pregnant women were specifically asked what their current preference for delivery was. Pearson's Chi-square test and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were performed with a 5% significance level.


RESULTS
Sixty-seven pregnant women (42.9%) said they had little motivation to undergo vaginal delivery. In the multivariate analysis, the following variables were statistically significant: previous vaginal birth (p=0.001; ORadj=0.04; 95% CI=0.01-0.12); husband's monthly income greater than 750 reais (p=0.006, ORadj=3.44; 95% CI=1.38-8.33). The women with a previous vaginal delivery presented 25-fold lower chance of choosing cesarean delivery. The opinion that the previous delivery experience was unsatisfactory was marginally associated with the main outcome (p=0.06; ORadj=0.42; 95% CI=0.16-1.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Motivation for cesarean delivery is associated with influences such as the type and degree of satisfaction with previous delivery and income.
Núcleo de Epidemiologia, Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
Alexandre
A
Faisal-Cury
Paulo Rossi
PR
Menezes
D001938:Brazil; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires