<b>FREQUENCY OF CESAREAN DELIVERY ON MATERNAL REQUEST AS A MODE OF STERILIZATION AT PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITAL</b>

Background: Cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) has become an increasingly recognized contributor to the global rise in cesarean section rates. Among women who have completed their families, the desire for concurrent permanent sterilization may influence the decision to undergo elective cesarean delivery. However, local evidence regarding the frequency of CDMR as a mode of sterilization in public-sector hospitals is limited. Objective: To determine the frequency of cesarean delivery on maternal request as a mode of sterilization among women undergoing elective cesarean delivery at a public-sector tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bilawal Medical College for Boys, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Hyderabad, over 3-6 months. A total of 114 women aged 18–40 years with singleton pregnancies and gestational age >39 weeks who underwent elective cesarean delivery on maternal request were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Women with emergency cesarean delivery, previous cesarean section, multiple pregnancy, or obstetric and medical indications for cesarean delivery were excluded. Demographic and obstetric data were collected using a structured proforma and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Continuous variables were summarized using mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range), while categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 114 women were included in the study. The mean maternal age was 31.2 ± 4.8 years, and the mean gestational age at delivery was 38.9 ± 0.6 weeks. Most participants were multigravida (75.4%), resided in urban areas (62.3%), and were housewives (80.7%). Cesarean delivery on maternal request as a mode of permanent sterilization was observed in 21 (18.4%) women, whereas 93 (81.6%) women underwent cesarean delivery on maternal request for reasons other than sterilization. Conclusion: Cesarean delivery on maternal request as a mode of permanent sterilization constitutes a notable proportion of elective cesarean deliveries in this public-sector tertiary care hospital. Comprehensive antenatal counseling regarding delivery options, permanent contraception, and informed decision-making may facilitate appropriate utilization of cesarean delivery while supporting women's reproductive choices.