Factors associated to the type of childbirth in public and private hospitals in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of cesarean sections and factors associated to the type of childbirth in Brazil. Methods: data on childbirths were collected in Brazil in 2014. Demographic characteristics, related to pregnancy and birth hospital regime (public or private) were evaluation. For each hypothesis raised, the variables were modeled by the binary logistic regression, which the outcome was considered in the type of childbirth. Results: the prevalence of the cesarean sections in Brazil in 2014 was 52.8%; that is 38.1% at public hospitals and 92.8% at private ones. The association between cesarean section and the legal regime at the hospital was highlighted in the logistic model which presented a positive association and interaction between age groups (OR = 23.26; 95% CI= 13.39 - 41.79 for women between 20 and 24 years old and OR = 51.04; 95% CI 31.06 - 84.23 for women aged 35 and over). Conclusions: the performance of childbirth in Brazil meets the routines and recommendations regarding women's health and humanized childbirth established by the Brazilian National Health System policies.