A comprehensive multi-country analysis reveals stark disparities in caesarean delivery access across sub-Saharan Africa, with rates ranging from just 5% in poorest rural areas to 38% in wealthy urban centres. Published in Global Health Action, the study demonstrates that geographic location and household wealth—rather than clinical need—are the primary determinants of surgical delivery access. Researchers found that wealthy urban mothers achieve caesarean rates closer to the World Health Organization benchmark of 10–15%, while rural populations in the poorest quintiles remain severely underserved. The analysis examined maternal outcomes across multiple sub-Saharan countries, establishing that regional health system capacity, not demand for surgery, fundamentally limits access in the most disadvantaged settings. These findings underscore a critical gap in lifesaving maternal care infrastructure.
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