14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 80.002
Session: Pediatric and Perinatal Infections
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
Neonatal tetanus cases in a region in Ghana: Contributory factors and consequential outcomes
E. KOOMSON
Ghana Health Service, CAPE COAST, Ghana
Background: Immunizing women in fertility aged group and pregnant women with tetanus toxiod
vaccine is meant to protect them and their babies against tetanus infection. Irrespective of the
prevalence of the vaccination activities at static and outreach clinics the incidence of neonatal
tetanus is usually higher in the Central Region of Ghana for 2005. This paper throws more lights
on factors which led to the infection of eight neonates who died within the year in a region in
Ghana as a result of poor neonatal care, unvaccinated pregnant women and health seeking
behavior exhibited by the families.
Methods: Review of hospital admission data of all (8) reported neonatal cases in 2005 at the
Regional Health Directorate, using multidisciplinary approaches in 2006 by Ebenezer Koomson.
The records of the cases were verified at the respective districts where they were first reported.
After accepting the authenticity of the cases,then the researchers visited the health facility which
attended to each case.The personal data and medical history of each neonatal tetanus case was
assessed to the point of discharge or otherwise.The relatives of each case were also
interviewed.Those who helped or supervised the delivery were also interviewed to gather the part
each person played in the peri-and neonatal periods of each case.
Results: The level of adequate vaccination( receiving at least two tetanus vaccinations during
pregnancy) for the mothers was very low (37.5%), four (50%)of the 50% deliveries were
supervised by skilled health personnel; cord care was poorer for all the cases with improper
observance of aseptic techniques, and subsequent death of seven (99%) of the patients. Fifty
percent (50%) of cases were sent to a health facility on the day of onset of the condition.
Timeliness of reporting was 0% (0/8) -none of the cases was reported to the next upper level
timely. The range was 10-180 days. It should have been reported the same day. Completeness of
reporting was inadequate- (50%) complete.
Conclusion: Adequate number of vaccinations, observance of aseptic techniques during and
after delivery, proper health seeking behavior, health education and effective feedback of health
data is crucial for neonatal care and survival.