Neonatal tetanus in rural and displaced communities in the east Nile province

Abstract

A retrospective neonatal tetanus survey was conducted among rural and displaced communities in the East Nile Province in the Sudan. The results showed that neonatal tetanus was a major cause of neonatal mortality. The incidence in the displaced community was more than double that in the stable rural community, 7.1 and 3.2 per 1000 live births, respectively. Coverage with two doses of tetanus toxoid was about 58 per cent in both areas, with a drop-off rate of 15 per cent. Making use of missed opportunities to vaccinate regular attendants of antenatal care services would have increased coverage in both areas. Wrong beliefs and attitudes towards tetanus toxoid were detected among schoolgirls and teachers in the two areas.