Rising Rates of Caesarean Section in Urban Nepal

J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2019 Jan 28;16(41):479-480.

Abstract

The rising rate of caesarean section in urban Nepal is alarming as the lack of access for women in rural areas to emergency obstetric care, putting lives at risk. The latter is referred to as 'Too little too late'. At the same time, the sharp rise in caesarean section rates in cities presents the other extreme: "Too much too soon". The overuse of caesarean section causes harm, unnecessary costs, and misuse of health resources. Availability of private hospitals and increasing hospital childbirth may contribute to the rising rate of caesarean section. This article highlights the rising rate of caesarean section in urban Nepal. Keywords: Caesarean section; emergency obstetric care; Nepal.

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Nepal / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Rural Health Services
  • Unnecessary Procedures / statistics & numerical data
  • Urban Health Services / statistics & numerical data