Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females

Background: The increasing rate of cesarean section (C-section) deliveries has become a global concern, prompting intervention from governments and healthcare organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which is actively working to reduce the number of unnecessary C-sections worldw...

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Main Authors: Elie Ouainaty, Abdallah Chahine, Elie Chalhoub, Charlie Joe Layoun, Souheil Hallit, Habib Barakat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590161325000146
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author Elie Ouainaty
Abdallah Chahine
Elie Chalhoub
Charlie Joe Layoun
Souheil Hallit
Habib Barakat
author_facet Elie Ouainaty
Abdallah Chahine
Elie Chalhoub
Charlie Joe Layoun
Souheil Hallit
Habib Barakat
author_sort Elie Ouainaty
collection DOAJ
description Background: The increasing rate of cesarean section (C-section) deliveries has become a global concern, prompting intervention from governments and healthcare organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which is actively working to reduce the number of unnecessary C-sections worldwide. This study examines the role of physicians, family, and societal factors on C-section decision-making among Lebanese women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 367 Lebanese women recruited between March and September 2024. The Attitude Toward Birth Selection Method was used to determine factors influencing birth method preference. The scale evaluates eight factors: beliefs and attitudes, sexual and physical attitudes, fear of childbirth, preference of convenience, health and support, sociocultural norms, confidence in the birth practitioners, personal and practical choice, and sources of motivation. Results: Findings suggest that sources of motivation and confidence in birth practitioner were associated with a higher preference for C-section delivery. In contrast, beliefs and attitudes and personal and practical choices were more strongly associated with a preference for vaginal delivery. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant role of physicians, family, and societal influences play in shaping C-section decision-making. These findings serve as a first step for developing awareness campaigns aimed at reducing unnecessary C-sections and supporting women to make informed and health-conscious decisions about childbirth.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
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series European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X
spelling doaj-art-3845404d1e704f9585d83149eb0ea8312025-08-20T03:20:01ZengElsevierEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X2590-16132025-06-012610037810.1016/j.eurox.2025.100378Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese femalesElie Ouainaty0Abdallah Chahine1Elie Chalhoub2Charlie Joe Layoun3Souheil Hallit4Habib Barakat5School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, LebanonSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, LebanonDepartment of Psychology, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah 21478, Saudi ArabiaSchool of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, LebanonSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon; Applied Science and Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan; Department of Psychology, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah 21478, Saudi Arabia; Corresponding author at: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon.School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, P.O. Box 446, Jounieh, Lebanon; Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Notre Dame des Secours University Hospital, Byblos, LebanonBackground: The increasing rate of cesarean section (C-section) deliveries has become a global concern, prompting intervention from governments and healthcare organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which is actively working to reduce the number of unnecessary C-sections worldwide. This study examines the role of physicians, family, and societal factors on C-section decision-making among Lebanese women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 367 Lebanese women recruited between March and September 2024. The Attitude Toward Birth Selection Method was used to determine factors influencing birth method preference. The scale evaluates eight factors: beliefs and attitudes, sexual and physical attitudes, fear of childbirth, preference of convenience, health and support, sociocultural norms, confidence in the birth practitioners, personal and practical choice, and sources of motivation. Results: Findings suggest that sources of motivation and confidence in birth practitioner were associated with a higher preference for C-section delivery. In contrast, beliefs and attitudes and personal and practical choices were more strongly associated with a preference for vaginal delivery. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant role of physicians, family, and societal influences play in shaping C-section decision-making. These findings serve as a first step for developing awareness campaigns aimed at reducing unnecessary C-sections and supporting women to make informed and health-conscious decisions about childbirth.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590161325000146C-sectionNormal vaginal deliveryAttitudeBirth selection methodDecision-making
spellingShingle Elie Ouainaty
Abdallah Chahine
Elie Chalhoub
Charlie Joe Layoun
Souheil Hallit
Habib Barakat
Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females
European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X
C-section
Normal vaginal delivery
Attitude
Birth selection method
Decision-making
title Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females
title_full Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females
title_fullStr Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females
title_full_unstemmed Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females
title_short Impact of physician, family and society on the choice of Cesarean-section delivery mode among Lebanese females
title_sort impact of physician family and society on the choice of cesarean section delivery mode among lebanese females
topic C-section
Normal vaginal delivery
Attitude
Birth selection method
Decision-making
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590161325000146
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