Caesarean birth in Indonesia: understanding inequalities, inefficiencies, and intentionalities

Abstract

BACKGROUND Caesarean section use is increasing globally with limited additional benefits for women and newborns. Similar to global trends, caesarean section use in Indonesia increased significantly, from 1.6% in 1990 to 17.6% in 2017. Importantly, caesarean section contributed to the most financial burden for the national insurance health system in Indonesia, accounting for 36% of all births in 2019. Increases in caesarean section rates in Indonesia demonstrate widening inequality across socioeconomic determinants. These inequalities highlight the role that social factors play in the increase of caesarean section rates in Indonesia. Understanding factors influencing increasing caesarean sect..