title: The preference of Iranian women to have normal vaginal or cesarean deliveries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The cesarean section (C-section) has higher risk compared to normal vaginal delivery (NVD). The aim of this population-based study was to evaluate the frequency of mothers' tendency toward the mode of delivery and the factors that can affect this inclination.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2011 to June 2012 in Fars Province, Iran, and comprised mothers in their 20(th) to 30(th) weeks of pregnancy. A questionnaire was designed to include, sociodemographic information, maternal knowledge, main sources of knowledge, attitude of the mother, husband, parents, close friends, and gynecologist, regarding the route of delivery, convenience factors, and barriers to choosing NVD, and mother's preference for the route of delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 6921 participants, 2197 (31.7%) preferred C-section and 4308 (62.2%) favored NVD while 416 (6%) had no idea regarding the preferred route of delivery. Score of knowledge in 904 (13.1%) participants was zero, and 1261 women (18.2%) achieved an acceptable level of knowledge. Using binary logistic regression, positive history of previous abortion and/or infertility, higher education level of mother and husband, mother's unacceptable level of knowledge regarding complications of C-section, and mother's and husband's positive attitude toward C-section were determinant factors in choosing C-section as a preferred route of delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriate measures should be taken to raise awareness and knowledge of mothers and all families about complications of the C-section. Establishment of clinics for painless NVD and assuring mothers of benefits and lower complications of NVD can reduce the tendency for C-sections.
authors: Health Policy Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Najmeh
authors: N
authors: Maharlouei
authors: Department of Epidemiology, School of Hygiene and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Abbas
authors: A
authors: Rezaianzadeh
authors: Family Health Unit, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Elham
authors: E
authors: Hesami
authors: Family Health Unit, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Fariba
authors: F
authors: Moradi
authors: Family Health Unit, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Ezat
authors: E
authors: Mazloomi
authors: Health Policy Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Joulaei
authors: Health Policy Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Khodayari
authors: Health Policy Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Kamran B
authors: KB
authors: Lankarani
keywords: Attitude; barrier; cesarean section; knowledge; normal vaginal delivery