Women's caesarean section preferences: A multicountry cross-sectional survey in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: To measure the proportion of women's preferences for CS in hospitals with high caesarean section rates and to identify related factors.

Design: A cross-sectional hospital-based postpartum survey was conducted. We used multilevel multivariate logistic regression and probit models to analyse the association between women's caesarean section preferences and maternal characteristics.

How does hospital organisation influence the use of caesarean sections in low- and middle-income countries? A cross-sectional survey in Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand and Vietnam for the QUALI-DEC project.

Background: Improving the understanding of non-clinical factors that lead to the increasing caesarean section (CS) rates in many low- and middle-income countries is currently necessary to meet the challenge of implementing effective interventions in hospitals to reverse the trend. The objective of this study was to study the influence of organizational factors on the CS use in Argentina, Vietnam, Thailand and Burkina Faso.

Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based postpartum survey was conducted in 32 hospitals (8 per country).

"Because it eases my Childbirth Plan": a qualitative study on factors contributing to preferences for caesarean section in Thailand.

Background: Although caesarean section (CS) rates have increased rapidly in Thailand, the upward trend is not supported by significant maternal or perinatal health benefits. The appropriate use of CS through QUALIty DECision-making by women and providers (QUALI-DEC project) aims to design and implement a strategy to optimize the use of CS through non-clinical interventions. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing women's and health professionals' preferences for CS delivery in Thailand.

Caesarean section or vaginal delivery for low-risk pregnancy? Helping women make an informed choice in low- and middle-income countries.

Women's fear and uncertainty about vaginal delivery and lack of empowerment in decision-making generate decision conflict and is one of the main determinants of high caesarean section rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to develop a decision analysis tool (DAT) to help pregnant women make an informed choice about the planned mode of delivery and to evaluate its acceptability in Vietnam, Thailand, Argentina, and Burkina Faso. The DAT targets low-risk pregnant women with a healthy, singleton foetus, without any medical or obstetric disorder, no previous caesarean scarring, and eligibility for labour trials.

Factors influencing the implementation of labour companionship: formative qualitative research in Thailand.

Introduction: WHO recommends that all women have the option to have a companion of their choice throughout labour and childbirth. Despite clear benefits of labour companionship, including better birth experiences and reduced caesarean section, labour companionship is not universally implemented. In Thailand, there are no policies for public hospitals to support companionship.

Women's empowerment and elective cesarean section for a single pregnancy: a population-based and multivariate study in Vietnam.

Background: Women's empowerment, and maternal and neonatal health are important targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our objective is to examine the relationship between women's empowerment and elective cesarean section (ECS), focusing on Vietnam, a country where the use of CS has increased rapidly in recent decades, which raises public health concerns.

Methods: We hypothesized that in the context of the developing biomedicalization of childbirth, women's empowerment increases the use of ECS due to a woman's enhanced ability to decide her mode of delivery.

'A caesarean section is like you've never delivered a baby': A mixed methods study of the experience of childbirth among French women.

The experience of childbirth has been technologized worldwide, leading to major social changes. In France, childbirth occurs almost exclusively in hospitals. Few studies have been published on the opinions of French women regarding obstetric technology and, in particular, caesarean section.

Implementation and evaluation of nonclinical interventions for appropriate use of cesarean section in low- and middle-income countries: protocol for a multisite hybrid effectiveness-implementation type III trial.

Background: While cesarean sections (CSs) are a life-saving intervention, an increasing number are performed without medical reasons in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Unnecessary CS diverts scarce resources and thereby reduces access to healthcare for women in need. Argentina, Burkina Faso, Thailand, and Vietnam are committed to reducing unnecessary CS, but many individual and organizational factors in healthcare facilities obstruct this aim.

Caesarean section in Benin and Mali: increased recourse to technology due to suffering and under-resourced facilities.

In line with policies to combat maternal mortality, the medicalization of childbirth is increasing in low-income countries, while access to healthcare services remains difficult for many women. High caesarean section rates have been documented recently in hospitals in Mali and Benin, illustrating an a-priori paradoxical situation, compared with low caesarean section rates in the population. Through a qualitative approach, this article aims to describe the practice of caesarean section in maternity wards in Bamako and Cotonou.

Magnitude and correlates of caesarean section in urban and rural areas: A multivariate study in Vietnam.

Caesarean section (CS) can prevent maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. However, it involves risks and high costs that can be a burden, especially in low and middle income countries. The aim of this study is to assess its magnitude and correlates among women of reproductive age in the urban and rural areas of Vietnam.

How is women's demand for caesarean section measured? A systematic literature review.

Background: Caesarean section rates are increasing worldwide, and since the 2000s, several researchers have investigated women's demand for caesarean sections.

Question: The aim of this article was to review and summarise published studies investigating caesarean section demand and to describe the methodologies, outcomes, country characteristics and country income levels in these studies.

Methods: This is a systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2017 in French and English that quantitatively measured women's demand for caesarean sections.

Do free caesarean section policies increase inequalities in Benin and Mali?

Background: Benin and Mali introduced user fee exemption policies focused on caesarean sections (C-sections) in 2005 and 2009, respectively. These policies had a positive impact on access to C-sections and facility based deliveries among all women, but the impact on socioeconomic inequality is still highly uncertain. The objective of this study was to observe whether there was an increase or a decrease in urban/rural and socioeconomic inequalities in access to C-sections and facility based deliveries after the free C-section policy was introduced.

Why are caesarean section rates so high in facilities in Mali and Benin?

Objective: To assess new estimates of caesarean section (c-section) rates in facilities in two sub-Saharan countries using the Robson classification.

Methods: This study is a retrospective study. Workshops were organized in Mali and Benin in 2017 to train health care professionals in the use of the Robson classification.

Removing user fees to improve access to caesarean delivery: a quasi-experimental evaluation in western Africa.

Introduction: Mali and Benin introduced a user fee exemption policy focused on caesarean sections in 2005 and 2009, respectively. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of this policy on service utilisation and neonatal outcomes. We focus specifically on whether the policy differentially impacts women by education level, zone of residence and wealth quintile of the household.

[Implementation of a continuum of care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Hanoi (Vietnam)].

Caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) encompasses various tasks, from prevention to palliative care. It involves a set of consistent and coordinated actions. This article presents the first free-of-charge management programme including antiretroviral treatment in Vietnam (as opposed to research and evaluation programmes).

Mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV infection in an urban population in Cameroon.

Several studies, notably from rural areas, have shown an association between mobility and HIV infection. However, reasons for this association are poorly documented. In this study, we examined the relationship between mobility, sexual behavior, and HIV infection in an urban population of Cameroon.