Caesarean section among seven public hospitals at Lima: trend analysis during 2001-2008 period

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the trend of the monthly “caesarean section rate” (CSR) at the DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals during the period 2001 – 2008. Material and methods. Ecological study that aim to analyze the monthly reports of all DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals that attends childbirths, and by analyzing the trend of theirs monthly caesarean section ratio or monthly CSR (TCM = total caesarean births in a month * 100 / total number of newborns in the same month ) to determine their characteristic patterns. Results. Of the 7 hospitals studied, it was found that between 2001 and 2008, TCM average was 36,9% ± 9,1% (range: 16,5%-71,4%). from 2001 (33,5% ± 6,9%) to 2008 (39,7% ± 8,3%) years TCM increased 6,9% ± 7,0% on average, having registered a increase of 7,7% ± 6,4% at the year 2007 (43,5% ± 9,8%). Analyzing the TCM trend was found that most hospitals have a significant increase between 2004 and 2005 years. Analyzing the TCM trend was found that it tends to increase in April (37,9% ± 9,7%) and September (40,2% ± 8,9%), cycle that characterize most DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals. Conclusions. TCM of the DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals length exceeds the limit recommended by WHO and, during the period 2001-2008, has had a significant trend to increase.