Unknown author2024-11-012024-11-012023-02-10https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/13949Background: Cesarean sections as a mode of childbirth and access to the procedure can be lifesaving for both mothers and babies. The WHO has proposed a cesarean section rate of 10-15% as being ideal at population level. In Brazil, the rate of surgical births has steady risen since the 1970’s and currently sits around 57%, with stark differences between the public and private sector. However, the different health care sectors do not seem to be the only variable contributing to the high rate of cesarean sections. Methods: A narrative review was conducted. Databases used were “Cochrane”, “LILACS”, “PubMed”, “Scielo”, and “Web of Science”, the search was conducted in May and June 2022. The findings were analyzed according to the framework adapted from the Socio-ecological framework and the Health Belief Model. Results: 26 articles were analyzed. Several factors that determine the rate of cesarean sections have been identified. They include maternal age, education, household income & employment status, planning of pregnancy, skin color & ethnicity, relationship status, birth stories from peers, hospital characteristics and contexts, defensive medicine, health insurance schemes, time of birth, geographical location and access to care, physician-patient relationship, medical conditions, and government recommendations. Women and physicians have different motivations to undergo or perform the procedure. Conclusions: A variety of factors influence the rate of cesarean sections being performed in Brazil. The field of maternal and child health care needs to be restructured in order to decrease the numbers.Thesis