Factors associated with cesarean sections in a high complexity university hospital in southern Brazil.

Objective To identify the factors associated with cesarean sections in a high complexity university hospital in southern Brazil. Methods Cross-sectional study carried out at the Obstetric Hospital Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Data were gathered from questionnaires carried out with 361 puerperal women and maternal and neonatal records, from February to April 2013. For the analysis, Prevalence Ratio through Univariate Poisson Regression was used. Results The prevalence of cesarean sections was 31%. The category of hospitalization, cervix dilation and its characteristics, fetal presentation, and uterine dynamics, at the time of admission, were statistically related to cesarean sections; not having a previous cesarean section and night shift (from midnight to 6AM) were protective factors. Conclusions The prevalence of cesarean sections is above the rate recommended by the World Health Organization, but it is similar to rates found in other university hospitals, thus pointing out the need for the proposition of actions aimed at improving this indicator.