Trends in cesarean section rates in Brazil by Robson classification group, 2014-2020.
Virginia Barbosa Pereira, Síntia Nascimento Dos Reis, Fernanda Gontijo Araújo and 3 others
PMID 39082532WHAT IT FOUND
Brazil's cesarean rate averaged 56.1% and was stable from 2014 to 2020.
Public services increased cesareans in groups likely to give birth vaginally; private services decreased them but remained higher.
Key findings
01Brazil's average cesarean rate was 56.1%, with a stable trend over the study period.
02In public establishments, cesarean proportions increased in all groups except Robson 9, with the largest increases in Robson 2 (APC +10.4) and Robson 4 (APC +12.1).
03In private establishments, cesarean proportions decreased in all groups except Robson 6, but private rates remained higher than public rates.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study period was short for a trend analysis. Some births were not classified into Robson groups, which complicates interpretation. The study used aggregate registry data, so it cannot explain why an individual woman had a cesarean or show that any policy caused the trends. The final year used a different data source because the usual database did not have the data.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that cesarean rates are falling overall. The average rate was 56.1% and showed a stable trend, while public-sector cesarean proportions increased in groups likely to give birth vaginally.