2025, Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part B

author(s)
Divya Vadlakonda and Ram Shepherd Bheenaveni

abstract
The rising incidence of caesarean births in Telangana, especially those deemed medically unnecessary, constitutes a substantial public health issue. This study examines the social, cultural, and psychological factors that affect women's preferences for caesarean procedures, together with their knowledge of institutional delivery programs and state initiatives like the KCR KIT. Mixed methods were used, and the secondary data was abstained from Telangana's public health records, the National Family Health Surveys (NFHS-4 and NFHS-5), the District Level Household Surveys, facility surveys, and other government reports. Interviews with stakeholders, health officials, social activists, and other key informants provided contextual insights. Interviews were conducted with 40 pregnant women in Jagtial District who had received prenatal care and expressed a preference for caesarean delivery. The data were evaluated by content analysis, employing a systematic framework to identify themes grounded in socioeconomic and nutritional variables. The findings reveal that perceived safety, cultural beliefs, and timely circumstances were the predominant motivators for choosing caesarean delivery, followed by familial pressure, media impact, and previous negative birth experiences. Women's decisions were shaped by a blend of emotional, cultural, and informational factors, rather than solely medical ones. The study highlights the need to enhance maternal health literacy, antenatal counselling, and community education in facilitating educated, safe, and contextually appropriate birth choices.