Unveiling Influential Factors in Delivery Choices among Women in India: A Comparative Analysis of Normal Delivery, Unmet Need, Preventable and Need-Based c-Sections.

Sanjiv Singh, UPES, DEHRADUN
Kaushalendra Kumar singh, Professor

Medically unnecessary and unmet need of caesarean sections can potentially increase the risk of short- and long-term health issues for women and their infants. Our study is focused on various modes of delivery among women in India. Data of India National family health survey round 5 has been used. Univariate, Bivariate analysis along with multinomial logistic regression was used to identify significant factors behind modes of delivery. Software STATA was used for analysis. Out of all births, merely one-third were normal delivery, however over 40% of unmet caesarean section needs were seen, and 10% of c-section deliveries were preventable. In low performing states, a significant percentage of women (41.79%) had normal deliveries. Compared to women participants whose out-of-pocket spending was greater than or equivalent to 5,000, those whose out-of-pocket expenditure was less than 5,000 had a 3.26 times higher likelihood of having a normal birth as opposed to a preventable caesarean section. The likelihood of a normal birth vs preventable caesarean section was 1.42 higher for women who did not rely on distress financing. Place of delivery and residence, out of pocket expenditure, distress financing, health status of women were significant in deciding modes of delivery.

Keywords: Data and Methods, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Population Policies

See paper.