[Current aspects of pediatric and adult tetanus in Dakar].
Med Mal Infect 2005;
35:28-32. [PMID:
15695030 DOI:
10.1016/j.medmal.2004.11.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2004] [Accepted: 11/15/2004] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study was undertaken to assess epidemiological and clinical aspects as well as outcome of tetanus cases in patients over 28 days of age, so as to issue recommendations.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This study included patients admitted to the Fann teaching hospital in Dakar from 2001 to 2003. Age, sex, portal of entry, clinical signs, delay from onset to admission, stage and outcome of the tetanus were recorded.
RESULTS
410 cases of tetanus were observed. The sex-ratio was 2.41. The mean age was 20 years [range 2 months-89 years]. Sixty-two percent of the patients were between six and 30 years of age. Most of the patients were workers and craftsmen (58%) or pupils (19%). A wound was the most frequent portal of entry (73%). Tetanus was localized in four out of 406 cases. The global mortality rate was 22%; but it was higher when tetanus was stage III and in case of complications.
CONCLUSION
According to these results, it seems necessary to include booster doses in the Expanded Immunization Program, and to implement better prevention strategies targeting people not taken into account in this program. In addition, health care providers should check out the immunization status of their patients and accordingly offer an update or a full course of active immunization.
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