Tetanus in a rural hospital in Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract

Tetanus is still a frequent cause of mortality in rural Ethiopia despite the availability of an effective vaccine. An analysis of the medical records of 60 cases of tetanus admitted to Woldiya Hospital (1996 - 2002) indicated a case fatality rate of 36.7%. Over half of the deaths occurred within 3 days of hospitalization. Hospital documentation was poor. No patient received vaccine on discharge. Hospitalization and antenatal visits should be exploited for vaccination purposes. A list of all cases of tetanus seen over the six and a half year- period was prepared from hospital registration files. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2004;18(1):55-56]