The effect of caesarean section on self-esteem amongst primiparous women in South-Western Nigeria: A case-control study

Abstract

Objective. This study aims to assess the level of self-esteem of newly delivered mothers who had caesarean section (CS) and evaluate the sociodemographic and obstetrics correlates of low self-esteem in them.

Methods. Newly delivered mothers who had CS (n = 109) and who had spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) (n = 97) completed questionnaires on sociodemographic and obstetrics variables within 1 week of delivery. They also completed the Rosenberg self-esteem scale.

Results. Women with CS had statistically significant lower scores on the self-esteem scale than women with SVD (p = 0.006). Thirty (27.5%) of the CS group were classified as having low self-esteem compared with 11 (11.3%) of the SVD group (p = 004). The correlates of low self-esteem in the CS group included polygamy (odd ratio (OR) 4.99, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.62–15.33) and emergency CS (OR 4.66, 95% CI 1.55–16.75).

Conclusions. CS in South-Western Nigerian women is associated with lowered self-esteem in the mothers.

Keywords:

• Self-esteem
• caesarean section
• primiparity

Acknowledgements

This research was carried out with support from Obafemi Awolowo University/JHU Bill and Mellinda Gates junior faculty research grant.