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Caesarean Section Delivery in India: Public and Private Dichotomy
Authors: Sibabrata Das, and Harihar Sahoo
Source: Demography India, 48(1): 36-48
Topic(s): Cesarean section
Delivery care
Maternal health
Country: Asia
  India
Published: JUN 2019
Abstract: The substantial increase in caesarean section (C-section) delivery in the last two decades has become a cause of worry in India. This paper analyses the changing trends and determinants of the practice of C-Section delivery in India emphasising on the roles of private and public health facilities in rising C-section delivery. This study used data from all the four rounds of the National Family Health Survey, the Indian version of the Global Demographic Health Survey (DHS). The bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed to find out the factors determining the C-section delivery. Findings reveal a rising trend of C-section delivery in India since early 1990s. In almost all socioeconomic groups, the C-section delivery is found to be higher in private health facilities compared to public ones. The higher likelihood of richer household opting for C-section deliveries in private sector in recent years speaks about the inability of poorer household to afford the cost incurred for C-section deliveries. Rising C-section delivery in public sector facilities points towards the role of other factors such as changing socioeconomic conditions, demographic aspirations, health situations and perceptions of people regarding C-section delivery. Increased C-section delivery in India have been driven in part by the private sector. Holistic programmes in terms of public-private partnerships are needed to reduce medically unnecessary C-section cases and improve women’s health. Keywords: Caesarean Section, Delivery, India, Public Hospital, Private Hospital.
Web: http://demographyindia.in/article_document/94/344333_10_SD.pdf