ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS, VACCINATION STATUS AND OUTCOME OF TETANUS IN CHILDREN

Introduction: Vaccination is the most effective and economical means of combating the disease. Considerable progress has been made in increasing immunization coverage of children around the world through Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) of World Health Organization (WHO).

Aims and objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse the risk factors, vaccination status and outcome of tetanus in children.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Punjab health department during September 2018 to February 2019. The data was collected from 100 children of age 1 to 15 years. The data was collected through a questionnaire.  Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, number of siblings, position among mother’s children, ethnicity, and parents’ educational level and occupation) and history TT injection 1 year before the study were also collected.

Results: The data was collected from 100 patients. Mean age of participants was 3.7 ± 2.3 years and children 5 years and below constituted 79.3%. There was no significant difference between male and female patients’ distribution by age. History of vaccination was confirmed by examining the vaccination card and history. Uptake rate for DPT-3 was 19.1% as indicated by vaccination card and 29.9% as indicated by history. Combining evidence from vaccination card and history suggested a total DPT-3 uptake rate of 49.0%.

Conclusion: It is concluded that Vaccination coverage was found to be inadequate and post-trauma tetanus immune prophylaxis had been ignored. Primary immunization with booster doses is stressed. Children with ear discharge should be taken as high-risk group and must be evaluated for tetanus immunisation.