Neonatal Tetanus in African Children: Causes, Symptoms, Predisposing Factors, Prevention and Control

Abstract

This is a paper which examines the causes, sympt oms, predisposing fact ors, prevent ion, and cont rol of neonatal t et anus in African children. Neonat al t et anus was found t o be t he leading cause of deat h among neonates. It was found to result mainly from social and environment al fact ors, such as poor hygiene, use of non-st erile mat erials in t reat ing t he st ump of umbilical cords in newborns, poor att endance t o ant enat al clinic, high-level illit eracy, and non-utilization of tet anus toxoid immunizat ion. Based on t he findings recommendations were proffered, which include: legislat ion in favor of ant it et anus immunizat ion as prerequisite for cont ract ing marriages in court s in African count ries; st rat egic and vigorous immunizat ion exercise should be embarked upon at various levels; public enlight enment campaign t argeted at exposing t he nat ure of t he disease t o the ent ire public be carried out by minist ries of healt h at st at e and federal level, Non-Government al Organizat ions, and other healt h agencies.