RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Do Mothers Decide? The Impact of Preferences in Healthcare
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 142
OP 168
DO 10.3368/jhr.48.1.142
VO 48
IS 1
A1 Jostein Grytten
A1 Irene Skau
A1 Rune Sørensen
YR 2013
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/48/1/142.abstract
AB In this study we analyze whether immigrant mothers in Norway can influence their mode of delivery. Patient preferences were measured as the rate of Caesarean section from their home country, and by a survey question measuring the extent to which people believe they have freedom of choice and control over their lives in their home country. Preferences have a causal effect on the likelihood of Caesarean section. Medical risk factors are still the most important reasons for having a Caesarean section, but our regression estimates show that a substantial share of Caesarean sections is due to preferences as well.