OBJECTIVETo find out the occurrence of cesarean section (CS) and related factors among child-bearing women in China.

METHODSThe survey was conducted during October, 2010 in 40 counties selected from 30 provinces. Size proportional sampling method was employed in sampling. A face to face questionnaire investigation was conducted among 8 420 women who experienced pregnancies from 1978 to 2010. Information on demographic characteristics, history of pregnancy and birth were obtained, and related factors of CS occurrence were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 11 440 living births have been given by 8 420 women, and 1 725 CS happened. As the time goes on, there is a growing trend of CS occurrence, from 2.0% (14/701) in 1978-1985 to 36.6% (813/2 224) in 2006-2010, and there is a most fast increase from 2001 to 2010. CS rate in Mid-China (42.3%, 257/608) is the highest from 2006 to 2010. And also, the rate of CS requested by the pregnant women or their family members was increasing year by year, from 14.3% (2/14) in 1978-1985 to 43.7% (255/813) in 2006-2010. Women who were above 25 years old (21.4%, 960/4 485) , with an education degree of high school or above (24.5%, 568/2 317), engaged in nonagricultural work (22.4%, 663/2 956), living in eastern provinces of China (18.6%, 757/4 074), fetal malposition (45.4%, 247/544) , with a heavier birth weight(4 000 gram or above) (36.5%, 175/479) , have accepted B ultrasound exam (18.8%, 1 633/8 687) with an increasing of blood pressure (28.0%, 172/614) and convulsion experiences (24.8%, 131/528) during pregnancy were more likely to have CS.

CONCLUSIONThe CS rate among child-bearing women in China was rather high, and was related with factors of demographic characteristics(age of childbearing, education, vocation, residence) and some medical factors(neonatal weight, having accepted B ultrasound exam, fetal malposition, an increase of blood pressure and convulsions during pregnancy).