Objectives: Globally, Caesarean section (CS) has immensely contributed to improved obstetric outcome in circumstances where vaginal delivery is not feasible. However, in some low income countries, there is aversion for the procedure. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness and socio-cultural barriers to acceptance of caesarean section.

Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 344 parturient at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, between1^st October to 30^th November 2016. Data was collated using a self-administered questionnaire and was analysed with SPSS version 20 and conclusions were drawn by means of descriptive statistics.

Results: All the respondents were aware of caesarean section as an operative abdominal procedure for delivery; of these over one-tenth (14.0%;48/344) had experienced the procedure previously. Over 4/5^th (82.3%;283/344) of those who has had a previous caesarean section were well-informed on the indications. About a-fifth (20.3%;70/344) will never accept CS for any reasons. The major barriers to acceptance were sigma of being considered by peers as a reproductive failure (29.2%;7/24), high cost (20.8%;5/24) and religious beliefs (12.5% ;3/24).

Conclusion: Majority of antenatal attendees had a significant awareness about caesarean section and the indications. Also, a vast majority had morbid aversion towards it; due to numerous, non-evidence based socio-cultural reasons. Therefore, adequate health education, female empowerment, access to free or affordable antenatal care service, elimination of harmful religious/cultural beliefs and myth regarding caesarean delivery are necessary to curb this ugly trend, if we hope to achieve the sustainable development goals related to maternal health.