KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES REGARDING TETANUS TOXOID VACCINATION IN REPRODUCTIVE AGE WOMEN (15-49). A DESCRIPTIVE CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY IN PAK EMIRATES MILITARY HOSPITAL, RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Background: Tetanus infection caused by bacterium Clostridium tetani is a non-communicable and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Pakistan is one of the very few remaining countries that have yet to achieve the target set by the World Health Organization (2015) for the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus. The 2017 WHO report Pakistan shows an alarming situation and a major public health challenge for the country (478 out of 557 neonatal tetanus cases from Pakistan only were reported in the EMRO region.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of women regarding tetanus disease and tetanus toxoid vaccination. To assess health system practices regarding TT vaccination for pregnant women during antenatal care.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jul to Dec 2018.

Material and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted at Gynae OPD of Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi from July to December 2018. The study enrolled 349 women who met the inclusion criteria by non-probability convenient sampling technique. A validated, structured and researcher administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 and Tableau Software.

Results: Only 8.88% of women enrolled in the study had knowledge about tetanus disease and tetanus toxoid vaccination. Education, family setup, and respondent’s occupation status had minimal impact on their knowledge. Pregnant women were receiving adequate doses of TT vaccine (85% during their current pregnancy at the health care facility), the majority (99.71%) of them were not being educated or informed about its importance by the health care provider.

Conclusion: The study concluded that although women are being immunized with tetanus toxoid vaccine during their antenatal checkup, they are not being educated about its importance for good health.