Document Type
Article
Department
Paediatrics and Child Health
Abstract
Background: Tetanus in newborns, is an under-reported public health problem and a major cause of mortality in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the predictors and outcome of tetanus in newborn infants in the slums of Bin-Qasim town, Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: We conducted a case-control study at primary health care centers of slums of Bin-Qasim town, area located adjacent to Bin Qasim seaport in Karachi, from January 2003 to December 2013. Cases were infants aged ≤30 days with tetanus, as defined by the World Health Organization. Controls were newborn infants aged ≤30 days without Tetanus, who were referred for a checkup or minor illnesses. The case to control ratio was 1:2.
Results: We analyzed 26 cases and 52 controls. The case fatality was 70.8%. We identified four independent predictors of Tetanus in newborns: maternal education (only religious education with no formal education OR 51.95; 95% CI 3.69-731), maternal non-vaccination (OR 24.55; 95% CI 1.01-131.77), lack of a skilled birth attendant (OR 44.00; 95% CI 2.30-840.99), and delivery at home (OR 11.54; 95% CI 1.01-131.77).
Conclusions: We identified several potentially modifiable socio-demographic risk factors for Tetanus in newborns, including maternal education and immunization status, birth site, and lack of a skilled birth attendant. Prioritization of these risk factors could be useful for planning preventive and cost-effective measures.
Publication (Name of Journal)
BMC Research Notes
Recommended Citation
Sohaila, A.,
Shafiq, Y.,
Azim, S.,
Baloch, B.,
Akhtar, A. S.,
Tikmani, S. S.,
Brown, N.
(2015). Predictors and outcome of tetanus in newborns in slum areas of Karachi city: A case control study. BMC Research Notes, 8, 338.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_women_childhealth_paediatr/584