KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF CAESAREAN SECTION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES IN GENERAL HOSPITAL ABA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

A Caesarean section (CS) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby by making an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception of CS among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at General Hospital Aba, Abia State. The cross-sectional descriptive study used convenience sampling and a structured questionnaire to collect data from 427 participants. Instrument validity was ensured through expert review and reliability through a pilot test. Ethical clearance was obtained, and data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings showed the majority of respondents were aged 20-39 years (68%), predominantly married (67.4%), and overwhelmingly Christian (96.6%). Most had at least secondary education (60.5%), and were mainly petty traders (51.2%), with an income of 11,000–100,000 naira (85%), predominantly Igbo (94.3%). Antenatal care attendance data indicated that 51.2% attended more than four times, with varied reproductive histories. The study found that 96.1% had heard of CS, with nearly all (99.0%) identifying it as necessary when vaginal delivery is not feasible. Information sources included doctors (55%) and media (30%). Most agreed CS is suitable for delivering big babies (99.2%) and high-risk pregnancies (71.8%), with 97.7% believing CS results in less pain compared to vaginal delivery. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and demographic factors such as age and education. Respondents aged 30-39 years and those with primary education showed notable differences in their knowledge about CS. Perception of CS was significantly associated with age, marital status, education, and ethnicity. Notably, 73.4% preferred vaginal delivery, while 26.6% favored planned CS. Emotions associated with CS included fear (51.2%) and anxiety (35.2%). In conclusion, the findings underscore increased awareness and varied perceptions about CS, with significant demographic influences on knowledge and perceptions. The results highlight the need for educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and manage perceptions effectively, especially among different demographics of women.