 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Vincent V. Richman, MBA PhD, School of Business and Economics, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, 2042 Stevenson Hall, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, 707 664-2377, VRichman@hotmail.com
National cesarean rates in Canada more than tripled from the mid-1960’s, reaching almost 20% in the late 1980’s. It is generally believed that this cesarean rate is not medically justified. A major justification for performing cesarean sections is improving infant outcomes. This paper analyzes the relationship between changes in cesarean rates and changes in infant mortality. Changes in the numbers of cesarean sections and changes in the numbers of infant deaths are calculated for each of the 240 largest Canadian maternity units. Annual, aggregate data on births, cesarean sections and infant deaths were obtained from Statistics Canada for Canadian maternity units for 1983 through 1992. Increased cesarean rates were not associated with decreased infant mortality rates. These results do not support a major justification for the increased cesarean rate.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: International MCH, Infant Mortality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.