Hospital-based caesarean section in the Arab region: an overview.
This article provides an overview of hospital-based rates of caesarean delivery in 18 Arab countries and the association between these rates and selected demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Data on caesarean section were based on 2 of the most recent national hospital-based surveys in each country and on published studies based on hospital samples. High levels of caesarean delivery were found in Egypt (26% in 2003), followed by Sudan (20% in 1993). Six countries and the West Bank area of Palestine had rates >15% and 11 countries and Gaza had rates between 5% and 15%. The findings indicate an increasing trend of caesarean section delivery in the region. Policies aiming at reducing surgical deliveries should seek to identify and address these risk factors.
Khawaja
M
M
Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. mk36@aub.edu.lb
Choueiry
N
N
Jurdi
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000352:Africa, Northern / Q000453:epidemiology; D018643:Arab World; D018912:Arabs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008435:Mauritania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult