Awareness and Knowledge of Caesarean Section Complications Among Women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To assess the awareness about and attitude towards the complications of Cesarean section in the antenatal and postnatal period among women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2020 and September 2020, involving 507 women in the antenatal and postnatal period in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained via online surveys. The questionnaire addressed the knowledge about short and long-term complications. Results: Most participants received a poor knowledge score for the awareness of Cesarean section complications (45.4%), and only 12.6% had good knowledge. Most participants were in the age group of 32-42 years. Most participants were university-educated and had an excellent socioeconomic status. A statistically significant relationship was detected between the age group and the participant's level of knowledge regarding Cesarean sections (P = 0.030) and between the level of knowledge and experiencing Cesarean delivery by maternal request (P = 0.029). Conclusion: The study concluded that pregnant women had poor awareness regarding the complications of Cesarean sections. Most participants had a negative attitude toward Cesarean deliveries and preferred vaginal delivery.