[Caesarean section among seven public hospitals at Lima: trend analysis during 2001-2008 period].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the trend of the monthly "caesarean section rate" (CSR) at the DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals during the period 2001 - 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ecological study that aim to analyze the monthly reports of all DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals that attends childbirths, and by analyzing the trend of theirs monthly caesarean section ratio or monthly CSR (TCM = total caesarean births in a month * 100/total number of newborns in the same month ) to determine their characteristic patterns. RESULTS Of the 7 hospitals studied, it was found that between 2001 and 2008, TCM average was 36.9% ± 9.1% (range: 16.5%-71.4%). From 2001 (33.5% ± 6.9%) to 2008 (39.7% ± 8.3%) years TCM increased 6.9% ± 7.0% on average, having registered a increase of 7.7% ± 6.4% at the year 2007 (43.5% ± 9.8%). Analyzing the TCM trend was found that most hospitals have a significant increase between 2004 and 2005 years. Analyzing the TCM trend was found that it tends to increase in April (37,9% ± 9,7%) and September (40.2% ± 8.9%), cycle that characterize most DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals. CONCLUSIONS TCM of the DISA V Lima-Ciudad Hospitals length exceeds the limit recommended by WHO and, during the period 2001-2008, has had a significant trend to increase.