This chapter gives an overview of geographic variations in the Czech Republic for hospital medical admissions, caesarean section, knee replacement, hip replacement, and hysterectomy. Age- and gender-standardised rates of utilisation are reported for the 14 regions and the 77 former districts, in 2011.

While the number of caesarean sections and knee and hip replacements is increasing, the number of hysterectomies is gradually declining. Geographic variations are particularly high for hysterectomy and, to a lesser extent for knee replacement. Regions do not constantly show a low or high prevalence for all health care interventions. Prague has a high prevalence of caesarean sections but low prevalence of knee and hip replacements and hysterectomies. Regions with a lower socioeconomic profile have heterogeneous patterns. While Northwest Bohemia has a low prevalence of caesarean sections, North Moravia has the highest rate. At the district level, high prevalence of gynaecological procedures (caesarean section or hysterectomy) in some areas cannot fully be explained by patient preferences and provider motivations require further investigation.