From: Factors influencing the decision that women make on their mode of delivery: the Health Belief Model
Women’s perceptions of cesarean delivery (CD) | Prefer VB (n = 246) | Prefer CD (n = 73) | P-value |
---|---|---|---|
 | n (%) | n (%) |  |
Perceived susceptibility | Â | Â | Â |
   Abdominal wound infection | 4 (0.02) | 0 (0.0) | 0.329 |
   Long recovery time | 1 (0.004) | 2 (0.03) | 0.140 |
Perceived benefits | Â | Â | Â |
   A faster/more convenient method of delivery | 127 (51.7) | 67 (91.8) | <0.001*** |
   A trendy/modern method of delivery | 109 (44.3) | 60 (82.2) | <0.001*** |
   Less fear of prolonged labor and fetal injuries | 124 (50.7) | 67 (91.8) | <0.001*** |
   Avoid pain induced by repetitive vaginal examinations | 111 (45.2) | 55 (75.4) | <0.001*** |
   Avoid the necessity of inducing labor | 123 (50.0) | 59 (80.8) | <0.001*** |
   Prevent labor pain | 172 (69.9) | 71 (97.2) | <0.001*** |
   Avoid prolonged labor | 185 (75.2) | 73 (100) | <0.001*** |
   Preserve sexual function and genital appearance | 94 (38.2) | 43 (58.9) | 0.002** |
   Minimize potential sexual dissatisfaction | 66 (26.9) | 36 (49.3) | <0.001*** |
   Allows tubal ligation after CD | 94 (38.2) | 32 (43.8) | 0.388 |
   Allows better planning of maternity leave | 168 (68.3) | 58 (79.4) | 0.065 |
   Allows better planning of paternity leave | 165 (67.1) | 55 (75.4) | 0.180 |
   Avoids the uncertainty of the timing of the delivery | 185 (75.2) | 60 (82.2) | 0.214 |
   Can select an auspicious date to deliver my baby | 162 (65.9) | 49 (67.1) | 0.840 |
   Year, date, time, and weekday of birth affect one’s fate | 70 (28.4) | 34 (46.6) | 0.004** |
Perceived severity | Â | Â | Â |
   Concern over the anesthesia complications of CD | 228 (92.7) | 45 (61.6) | <0.001*** |
   Afraid of uterine scar ruptures if a cesarean delivery is performed | 125 (50.9) | 25 (34.2) | 0.013* |
   Afraid of adhesion formation if a cesarean delivery is performed | 137 (55.7) | 30 (41.1) | 0.028* |
Perceived barriers | Â | Â | Â |
   Extra cost of CD out of own pocket | 125 (50.8) | 38 (52.1) | 0.852 |
   Cannot choose CD in a public hospital | 141 (57.4) | 61 (83.6) | <0.001*** |
Cues to action | Â | Â | Â |
   Healthcare professionals advise CD | 132 (53.6) | 53 (72.6) | 0.004** |
   Relatives/friends advise CD | 40 (16.2) | 33 (45.2) | <0.001*** |
   I heard negative stories from relatives/friends about their vaginal delivery | 72 (29.3) | 34 (46.6) | 0.006** |
   I have a family history of difficult births | 44 (17.9) | 27 (37.0) | 0.001*** |