An official from the Ministry of Health states that Iran has the highest rate of cesarean sections in the world, and the Ministry is working to promote natural childbirth among women. The highest rate of cesarean births in Iran was 56%, which has decreased by 6% since 2014 to 50%. The World Health Organization has set the standard cesarean rate at 10 to 15%. Currently, 50% of births in Iran are performed by cesarean section, and Dr. Farah Babaei, head of the midwifery department at the Ministry of Health, aims to reduce this rate from 50% to 46% this year through cultural initiatives and promotional actions. According to IRNA news agency, the main focus of the midwifery department is to reduce the cesarean rate. In April of this year, the World Health Organization expressed concern over the rising cesarean rates in some countries and urged governments to take action to reduce unnecessary cesareans. The head of the midwifery department stated that reaching the World Health Organization's standard in Iran will take 10 to 15 years. According to Doctors Without Borders, currently, 75% of cesareans performed in Iran are unnecessary. Dr. Hassan Nayeb Hashem, a general practitioner based in Vienna, explains that cesarean sections have many complications for mothers and infants, including bleeding, infections, and potential long-term issues for future pregnancies. Economic and social motivations are cited as factors for the increase in cesarean sections in Iran. Sociologist Hossein Ghazian explains that doctors usually do not resist patient demands as they benefit from the situation, and the insurance system supports this, resulting in no apparent loss for anyone involved. Additionally, there is a lingering perception that cesarean sections are prestigious, a notion that has been transferred from the West. Ghazian also mentions sexual factors influencing mothers' insistence on cesarean sections, as there is a belief that natural childbirth may affect a woman's attractiveness to men. According to the World Health Organization, Brazil has the second-highest cesarean rate at 53%, while the lowest rates are found in Africa and Southeast Asia, estimated between 3 to 8%.
Why the Cesarean Rate is High in Iran
Iran has the highest cesarean section rate in the world at 50%, with efforts underway to reduce it to 46%. The World Health Organization recommends a standard rate of 10-15%, highlighting concerns over unnecessary procedures. Economic, social, and cultural factors contribute to this high rate.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran has the highest cesarean section rate in the world at 50%, prompting the Ministry of Health to initiate efforts to reduce this rate to 46%. The WHO has raised concerns about unnecessary cesareans and set a recommended standard of 10-15%.
- The cesarean section rate in Iran was 56% in the past but has decreased to 50%.
- 75% of cesareans performed in Iran are deemed unnecessary according to Doctors Without Borders.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Cesarean sections are often performed for various reasons, including medical necessity and cultural perceptions of childbirth. The WHO recommends a much lower rate to ensure safe and necessary medical practices.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%