Determinants of patient satisfaction after cesarean delivery at a university teaching hospital in Nigeria

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of satisfaction, and associated factors, among parturients who had recently delivered by cesarean.MethodsIn a descriptive cross-sectional study, women who delivered by cesarean at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, were enrolled between April and July 2010. A simple, qualitative, semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was done via SPSS version 16.ResultsAmong 220 women who delivered by cesarean, 211 women were enrolled in the study and were interviewed 2–5 days after delivery. The mean age was 30.8 ± 5.1 years, and the median parity was 1. An initial negative reaction to the decision for cesarean delivery was reported by 76% of respondents, 19% were indifferent, and 5% reported an initial positive reaction. Satisfaction with delivery by cesarean was reported by 80% of the respondents. Satisfaction with cesarean delivery was significantly associated with age, level of education, initial reaction to the decision for cesarean delivery, and elective cesarean.ConclusionMost parturients expressed overall satisfaction after delivery by cesarean. There is a need for in-depth studies in low-income countries to further evaluate satisfaction with regard to various aspects of the cesarean delivery experience.