Determinants of Cesarean and its Trend in Damghan, Iran

Background & objectives: Increasing the rate of cesarean in recent decades is a noticeable sign which has been interested to look at some possible medical, psychological and social determinants. The aim of this study was to determine trend of cesarean during 1998-2007 and evaluation of some social factors in Damghan, Iran. Methods: We used a case-control study by direct interview with mothers in health centers of city. A total of 120 cases (delivered by cesarean method) and 90 controls (delivered by natural method) were selected. For estimating of trend we used all medical files in Damghan maternity hospital between 1998-2007.Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS (Ver16) by descriptive and analytical (Chi-square, ANOVA and logistic regression) methods. Results: A total of 12200 deliveries were registered during 1998-2007 and 51.7 percent of them were cesarean. From 1999 to 2003 years there is an increasing trend and most frequency of cesarean was in 2006 year (53.5%). Mean age, education, occupation, number of delivery, husband occupation, number of children and residency area was not significant between two groups. But from social factors, mother's education from diploma and higher, reco