Appropriate use of Caesarean section through QUALIty DECision-making by women and providers in low and middle-income countries ( QUALI DEC)

Project holder: 

• Alexandre DUMONT (CEPED, Université Paris Cité)

Research team: 

Myriam DE LOENZIEN  (CEPED, IRD, Université Paris Cité)

Marion RAVIT  (CEPED, IRD, Université Paris Cité)

Camille ETCHEVERRY (CEPED, IRD, Université Paris Cité)

Truc Phuong NGUYEN (CEPED, IRD, Université Paris Cité)

Isabella RAMOS MENDOZA (CEPED, IRD, Université Paris Cité)

Ouarda LUNETTA-NAMANE (CEPED, IRD, Université Paris Cité)

Project description: 

By 2030, 1/3 of all women will give birth by caesarean section if nothing is made to limit this worrying trend. The over-use caesarean sections is a silent, growing and impacting health crisis. Worldwide rates exceed the 10-15% threshold recommended by the WHO. But there are major disparities between countries and between areas within countries, with either over-use (rich areas) or unmet needs (poor areas). This inappropriate use has harmful consequences both medically and for healthcare systems. To remedy this, interventions are being studied through a research project such as QUALI-DEC, financed by the EU and WHO. Implemented in 32 hospitals in Argentina, Burkina-Faso, Thailand and Vietnam. It aims to improve childbirth practices and the appropriate use of caesarean sections, taking better account of medical indications and women's preferences. The end of the project will be accompanied by a seminar (in Paris) to share results, prepare scientific articles and validate the knowledge dissemination strategy. The aim is to involve all stakeholders on an international level in order to bring about changes in practices, mentalities and policies.