RESUMO
Background: Caesarean section is life-saving, but rising rates are a cause for concern. Perceptions surrounding caesarean delivery may play a significant role in the shared-decision making process. Objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of caesarean section among antenatal, postnatal women and healthcare providers in a rural maternity hospital in Ramanagara district, Karnataka.Methods: Qualitative research methodology was adopted to explore perceptions regarding preferred birthing mode, caesarean and its perceived complications. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with antenatal and postnatal women, their caregivers and health care providers. Inductive coding approach and thematic framework analysis was done.Results: Five major themes emerged regarding perceptions of caesarean section among women in a rural area of Karnataka: understanding, fears, decision making, after-care and prevention. Women had a strong preference for normal vaginal birth, but willing to accept doctor’s decision for caesarean as they believed that it would protect the life of unborn child. Women perceived that caesarean was profitable to the hospital. Common mentioned side effects following caesarean were backache and pain at the surgical site.Conclusions: The understanding regarding caesarean section was adequate. Women had fears linked to caesarean such as pain, inability to work, weight gain, prolonged recovery and caesarean deliveries in subsequent pregnancies. Husbands and other family members as well as the doctors were the important decision makers, while the women themselves had little say in the matter. Obstetricians need to focus on alleviating concerns among pregnant women and their family members regarding caesarean section.
RESUMO
Background: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Almost 87% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. The study was conducted to assess the awareness of cervical cancer and practice of Papanicolou (Pap) smears among women availing health services or visiting a rural maternity hospital, Karnataka.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a 50-item interview schedule. The interview was administered to women >18 years of age who availed services at the hospital and their caretakers.Results: Mean age of the 158 women interviewed was 32.68±13.7 years. Only 21% of women had heard about cervical cancer. Only 11.4% knew at least one symptom and 1.9% knew one risk factor of cervical cancer. Most of the women (99%) were not aware about prevention of cervical cancer. Only 4% of the women had heard about Pap smears and 3% of the women had undergone a Pap smear test.Conclusions: Women in our study had very poor awareness of cervical cancer and practice of Pap smears. Gainfully employed women (OR=32; 8.8-111.2) and women who reported cervical cancer among family members or friends (OR=116; 20.2-665.4). were more likely to have heard about cervical cancer. This study indicates a need to increase the awareness on cervical cancer and its prevention especially regarding Pap smears among rural women in Karnataka.