The frequency of cesarean section has continued to increase in recent decades and is related to its indications, which differ from one country to another and within the same country, from one medical institution to another [1]. Cesarean section is a surgical procedure that can effectively prevent maternal and neonatal mortality when performed for medical reasons. Globally, cesarean section rates have increased in recent decades. According to recent estimates from 150 countries, 21% of all births are by cesarean section, with the frequency varying from 1% to 58% depending on the country. The global cesarean section rate has nearly tripled in a quarter of a century, rising from 6.7% in 1990 to 19.1% in 2014, according to WHO estimates [2]. However, cesarean sections also carry risks for both mother and child, which are higher in settings where women have limited access to quality obstetric care. These risks include infection, thromboembolic diseases, and placental adhesion abnormalities [3][4].

In Senegal, policies providing free C-sections were implemented nationwide in 2006, and the C-section rate rose from 4.2% in 2004 to 5% in 2010 [5][6]. Far from the WHO range (10%) in 2015, free cesarean sections are one of the strategies for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality [7].

A high-quality cesarean section could be defined as a procedure that benefits all patients who truly need it, with minimal risk to the mother-child relationship and at an affordable cost to the patient and the healthcare system [8].

The classification proposed by Robson in 2001 allows women to be classified into 12 categories according to their characteristics and those of their pregnancy. Widely used, this classification offers multiple advantages such as simplicity, objectivity, and the identification of at-risk groups. However, it does not take into account, for example, the indications for a cesarean section or the patient’s experience of a cesarean section in terms of postoperative pain [9].

In the absence of studies on the quality of cesarean sections in northern Senegal, we deemed it necessary to analyze the determinants of quality cesarean sections in terms of surgical indications and postoperative follow-up at the maternity ward of the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital Center (CHRSL) in Senegal, with the aim of formulating recommendations to improve the quality of cesarean sections and reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The overall objective was to evaluate cesarean sections performed at the CHRSL maternity ward according to the ROBSON classification. The objectives were to calculate the relative frequency of cesarean sections at the CHRSL maternity ward, identify the sociodemographic profile of patients, study clinical and obstetric characteristics, and identify the maternal-fetal prognosis.

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. It was conducted from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, at the maternity ward of the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital Center in Senegal. It is located nearly 250 km to north. The study included all women in labor admitted to the department during the study period. This was an exhaustive sample covering all caesarean sections performed during the study period. We included all records of patients who underwent caesarean sections during the study period at the CHRSL and excluded records of caesarean sections with incomplete information. The data were collected from our continuous data recording database. The data were extracted from Falemaker pro using MS Excel 2019 software in macro mode and then transferred to SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software for analysis. Quantitative variables, means surrounded by their standard deviation, median, and extremes, were calculated. For qualitative variables, we established percentages. We studied sociodemographic characteristics, indications for cesarean sections, duration, and the future of the mother-child couple.

Limitation of the study, as this is a retrospective study, we are faced with frequent data gaps due to the quality of medical record keeping.

During our study, we recorded 3,465 cesarean sections and 11,142 deliveries, representing 31%. This frequency is twice as high as that set by the WHO (10 to 15%). However, this relative frequency is similar to that observed by Cissé et al. in 2004 (25.2%) at the Dakar University Hospital [10][18], Niang M et al. in 2011 (27.1%) at the Dakar University Hospital [11], and Tamboura in 2012 (31.1%) in Bamako [12].

In our series, the extreme ages ranged from 12 to 52 years. The most represented age group was 20 - 35 years, accounting for 73.3%. These data are corroborated by the results of studies by Traoré M [5] (53%) and Kane F [13] (84.47%).

In our series, 73.7% of patients received at least four prenatal checkups, and only 0.5% of patients who underwent surgery had not received any prenatal checkups. This prenatal care led to the referral of 15% of patients. These results are similar to those found in Ouagadougou (13%) [14] and significantly lower than those of Cissé et al in Senegal (28%) [10]. These results highlight the poor quality of CPNs in the fight against maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity.

The Robson classification of cesarean sections found a predominance of group 2b (nulliparous women at term with a cephalic presentation fetus who underwent cesarean section before labor), with 31.4% of indications. In a study conducted in Switzerland in 2017, Haydar et al. found a similar result, namely 35% [15].

In terms of maternal morbidity, we recorded 167 cases of postoperative complications, or 4.82%. These results are lower than the data in the African literature. Yacouba et al. [16] and Cissé [10] found 7.06% and 5%, respectively.

The maternal mortality rate after cesarean section was 0.4% in our series. Benkirane in Morocco [17] and in Senegal [10] reported rates of 0.44% and 0.34%, respectively. However, Ouedraogo (2.3%) [8], Cissé (3%) [10], and Kinenkinda (1.4%) [1] found relatively higher rates of 2.3%, 3%, and 1.4%, respectively.

In the assessment of the quality of care, 63% of patients were treated within a reasonable time frame. Staff were available in 100% of cases, as was blood.

We also observed 100% availability of nursing staff, 100% availability of the operating room and surgical kit, and finally 100% availability of blood. In the literature, the results reported by Togora M. [18] show 91.1% of cases treated within less than 1 hour, 100% availability of cesarean section kits, 95.2% availability of nursing staff, 96% availability of operating rooms, and 84.1% availability of blood.

The results of our study show that the frequency of cesarean sections is relatively high. Maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity are relatively low. The quality of care is good. Thus, the maternity ward at the Saint-Louis Regional Hospital plays an important role in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity.