Patients' attitudes vs. physicians' determination: implications for cesarean sections

Soc Sci Med. 2003 Jul;57(1):91-6. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00301-5.

Abstract

Most research studies identifying non-clinical factors that influence the choice of Cesarean Section as a method of obstetric delivery assume that the physician makes the decision. This paper arguably shows the role played by the mother. Owing to the fact that Chinese people generally believe that choosing the right days for certain life events, such as marriage, can change a person's fate into a better one, the hypothesis is tested that the probability of Cesarean Sections being performed is significantly higher on auspicious days and significantly lower on inauspicious days. By employing a logistic model and utilizing 1998 birth certificate data for Taiwan, we are able to show that the hypothesis is accepted.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data*
  • Culture
  • Decision Making
  • Female
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Patient Participation / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Pregnancy
  • Probability
  • Taiwan