The Role Of Psychological And Social Factors In The Caesarean Section Birth Preferences Of Women Who Exercise

Objective: This study aims to identify the psychological, social, demographic, and environmental factors that influence the preference for caesarean section among women who exercise. Scope: The study focuses solely on caesarean section, with normal delivery being evaluated for comparison purposes. Multidimensional factors such as psychological status, social media usage, previous birth experiences, and socio-economic variables were analyzed within the scope of the study. Method: The scale used in the study consists of a two-part questionnaire. This scale is a validated and reliable questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire includes demographic information and lifestyle, while the second part includes women's attitudes towards caesarean and normal birth. The research was conducted in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Antalya, and Elazığ provinces of Turkey. The study was conducted using a convenience sampling method based on participant eligibility. The data obtained were analyzed using various statistical methods, using ANOVA, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, factor analysis, and logistic regression. Results: It was found that the preference for caesarean section was based not only on medical reasons but also on psychological and social factors. In particular, attitudes toward cesarean section differed significantly among women with psychological problems and those with a history of miscarriage or abortion. Additionally, social media usage had a strong influence on the preference for cesarean section. On the other hand, exercise habits and certain socioeconomic variables did not have a significant effect on the preference for cesarean section. In conclusion, the decision to undergo a cesarean section is shaped by a combination of multidimensional factors. In this context, health policies should be structured to support individuals in terms of psychological support, access to information, and social environment.