The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Ulf Gerdtham. Photo.

Ulf Gerdtham

Professor

Ulf Gerdtham. Photo.

Estimating the effect of cesarean section rate on health outcome : Evidence from Swedish hospital data

Author

  • Ingemar Eckerlund
  • Ulf G. Gerdtham

Summary, in English

This paper tests the null hypothesis of a zero effect of cesarean section rate on health outcome against the alternative of a positive effect. Using data from 59 hospitals in Sweden from 1988-92, we specify two separate linear regression models for health outcome, one with perinatal mortality, and the other with rate of asphyxia, as dependent variable. We estimate the models by single-year cross-section regressions and as pooled data systems. The null hypothesis cannot be rejected, i.e., we do not find any significant positive effect of cesarean section rate on health outcome. Thus, we conclude that an increase in cesarean section rate does not imply lower perinatal mortality or lower rate of asphyxia. This in turn indicates that the minimum cesarean section rate is optimal.

Publishing year

1999-12-01

Language

English

Pages

123-135

Publication/Series

International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care

Volume

15

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article review

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Topic

  • Economics

Keywords

  • Cesarean section
  • Economic consequences
  • Health outcome
  • Regression analysis

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0266-4623