Contribution of women’s preference to the overuse of caesarean sections: A propensity score matching analysis based on a multi-country cross-sectional survey, as part of the QUALI-DEC project

Although women's preference plays a role in the use of caesarean section in the participating hospitals, it likely accounts for only a small proportion of the caesarean section performed, highlighting the need for multidimensional, context-specific strategies to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections (providing women with evidence-based information, improving clinicians' adherence to guidelines and shared decision-making, addressing systemic factors…).