Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

Cesarean sections have become increasingly common globally, including in Nigeria. This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of postpartum women who underwent cesarean sections within the distinct contexts of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews and focus group disc...

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Main Authors: Turnwait Otu Michael, Richard Dele Agbana, Kammila Naidoo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-03-01
Series:Women
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/4/1/6
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author Turnwait Otu Michael
Richard Dele Agbana
Kammila Naidoo
author_facet Turnwait Otu Michael
Richard Dele Agbana
Kammila Naidoo
author_sort Turnwait Otu Michael
collection DOAJ
description Cesarean sections have become increasingly common globally, including in Nigeria. This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of postpartum women who underwent cesarean sections within the distinct contexts of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 24 postpartum women in selected health facilities in urban and rural areas. A diverse sample was purposively selected to capture a range of experiences based on age, residence, education, and cultural backgrounds. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes within the data. The findings revealed diverse emotional responses among participants, ranging from relief and gratitude to disappointment and feelings of loss for not experiencing a vaginal birth. Societal pressures and cultural expectations played a significant role in influencing women’s perceptions and experiences of cesarean sections. Future childbirth preferences and support systems, including healthcare provider–patient relationships and community support, were identified as crucial factors impacting postoperative recovery. This study contributes to the understanding of women’s perceptions of cesarean sections within the local context of Ibadan, Nigeria. The findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare practices, clear communication, and support systems to enhance the birthing experiences of women undergoing cesarean sections.
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spelling doaj.art-7ed3c51ed99845fd9956b7fbd06354be2024-03-27T14:08:45ZengMDPI AGWomen2673-41842024-03-0141738510.3390/women4010006Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative StudyTurnwait Otu Michael0Richard Dele Agbana1Kammila Naidoo2Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South AfricaDepartment of Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, KM 8.5, Afe Babalola Way, Ado-Ekiti 360231, NigeriaDepartment of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South AfricaCesarean sections have become increasingly common globally, including in Nigeria. This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of postpartum women who underwent cesarean sections within the distinct contexts of Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 24 postpartum women in selected health facilities in urban and rural areas. A diverse sample was purposively selected to capture a range of experiences based on age, residence, education, and cultural backgrounds. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes within the data. The findings revealed diverse emotional responses among participants, ranging from relief and gratitude to disappointment and feelings of loss for not experiencing a vaginal birth. Societal pressures and cultural expectations played a significant role in influencing women’s perceptions and experiences of cesarean sections. Future childbirth preferences and support systems, including healthcare provider–patient relationships and community support, were identified as crucial factors impacting postoperative recovery. This study contributes to the understanding of women’s perceptions of cesarean sections within the local context of Ibadan, Nigeria. The findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare practices, clear communication, and support systems to enhance the birthing experiences of women undergoing cesarean sections.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/4/1/6cesarean sectionspostpartum womenperceptionsexperiences
spellingShingle Turnwait Otu Michael
Richard Dele Agbana
Kammila Naidoo
Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
Women
cesarean sections
postpartum women
perceptions
experiences
title Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
title_full Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
title_short Exploring Perceptions of Cesarean Sections among Postpartum Women in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
title_sort exploring perceptions of cesarean sections among postpartum women in nigeria a qualitative study
topic cesarean sections
postpartum women
perceptions
experiences
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/4/1/6
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