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A recent study conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has uncovered a significant increase in the number of caesarean section (C-section) deliveries across India between 2016 and 2021. Published in the peer-reviewed journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, the study sheds light on concerning trends in maternal healthcare practices in the country.
According to the study findings, the prevalence of C-section deliveries rose from 17.2 percent in 2016 to 21.5 percent in 2021. While C-sections are often necessary in cases of high-risk pregnancies, the researchers highlighted that clinical factors did not always justify the surgical procedure, particularly in regions such as Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.
Despite being a potentially life-saving intervention, unnecessary C-sections pose risks to both mothers and infants, including maternal infection, uterine hemorrhage, infant respiratory distress, and hypoglycemia.
The study also revealed a stark contrast in C-section rates between private and public healthcare facilities. Women delivering in private hospitals were four times more likely to undergo a C-section compared to those in public hospitals. In 2021, nearly half of deliveries in private hospitals were C-sections, indicating a worrying trend toward overutilization of the procedure in the private sector.
Professor V R Muraleedharan from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras commented on the disparities observed in different socioeconomic strata, stating, “Across India and Chhattisgarh, the non-poor were more likely to opt for C-sections, while in Tamil Nadu, the case was surprisingly different, as the poor were more likely to have C-sections in private hospitals.”
The study attributed the rise in C-section deliveries to various factors, including women’s preferences, socioeconomic status, and educational background. Overweight women and those of advanced maternal age (35-49 years) were found to be twice as likely to undergo C-sections compared to their counterparts.
One of the most alarming findings of the study was the disproportionately high rate of C-sections among poor women in Tamil Nadu seeking care in private hospitals. This disparity warrants further investigation and corrective measures to address potentially unnecessary surgical interventions.
The study drew on data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of maternal healthcare practices in India. As the country strives to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, addressing the overuse of C-sections and ensuring equitable access to safe and appropriate obstetric care remains a pressing priority.
