Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
Volume 87, Issue 3, 2014, Pages 269-288

Cesarean sections among Syrian refugees in Lebanon from December 2012/January 2013 to June 2013: Probable causes and recommendations (Article)

Huster K.M.J. , Patterson N. , Schilperoord M. , Spiegel P.*
  • a University of Washington, United States
  • b [Affiliation not available]
  • c [Affiliation not available]
  • d [Affiliation not available]

Abstract

Introduction: There are nearly 3 million Syrian refugees, with more than 1 million in Lebanon. We combined quantitative and qualitative methods to determine cesarean section (CS) rates among Syrian refugees accessing care through United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-contracted hospitals in Lebanon and possible driving factors.Methods: We analyzed hospital admission data from UNHCR’s main partners from December 2012/January 1, 2013, to June 30, 2013. We collected qualitative data in a subset of hospitals through semi-structured informant interviews.Results: Deliveries accounted for almost 50 percent of hospitalizations. The average CS rate was 35 percent of 6,366 deliveries. Women expressed strong preference for female providers. Clinicians observed that refugees had high incidence of birth and health complications diagnosed at delivery time that often required emergent CS.Discussion: CS rates are high among Syrian refugee women in Lebanon. Limited access and utilization of antenatal care, privatized health care, and male obstetrical providers may be important drivers that need to be addressed. © 2014 Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Humanitarian emergency Lebanon Syrian crisis Cesarean section Refugee

Index Keywords

emergency surgery hospital admission Health Personnel distocia breech presentation prolonged pregnancy fetus distress refugee hospitalization prenatal care health care planning health care personnel Syrian Arab Republic human epidemiology Refugees Health Planning Guidelines statistics and numerical data pregnancy disorder controlled study United Nations Lebanon social status Humans male private hospital semi structured interview female pregnancy Article health care utilization Syrian health care access Syria prematurity Hospitals hospital patient preference health hazard cesarean section

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906963377&partnerID=40&md5=c41d66405c4a0cdf7069e06b5dd0a525

ISSN: 00440086
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English