Abstract

Cesarean surgery is a small incision in the lower part of the abdomen for the embryo and placenta to exit. Nowadays, cesarean section is one of the most common modes of delivery particularly in developing countries. Since keeping in shape, family size, and fear from natural delivery are considered as the reasons for tendency toward cesarean section, the present study aimed to investigate the socio-cultural factors affecting the women's tendency toward this method. The statistical population included all the women referring to the hospitals for delivery and the sample included 200 women referring to the hospitals and childbirth centers. The study sample was selected using the Cochran's formula. Regression model was used in order to determine the correlation between the study variables. Besides, chi-square test was utilized for determining the effect of the dependent variable on the independent variable. According to the results, 64.5 of the study women had no history of cesarean surgery and 32.5 had a high tendency toward cesarean section. In addition, 34.5 had to undergo cesarean section and 50 had a low tendency toward this surgery. A significant relationship was observed between selection of cesarean delivery and the physicians' persuasion, keeping in shape, cesarean complications, lack of knowledge about the benefits of natural delivery, and socio-economic status (P<0.05). A large number of women referring to the childbirth centers of Ilam tend to select cesarean delivery which is mostly due to the lack of using pain relief methods, the physicians' persuasion, and the women's belief in keeping in shape.