Epidemiological Analysis on Neonatal Tetanus Cases from 1999 through 2004 in Shaoxing City

Abstract

Objective This analysis was conducted to better understand the epidemiological characteristics of neonatal tetanus(NT)in Shaoxing city in order to provide background information for the formulation of strategies to control and eradicate the disease. Methods Descriptive study was used to statistically analyze the data collected from the NT-specific reporting system and case study from 1999 to 2004. Results Statistics showed that the incidence of NT fluctuated between 0.15‰ and 0.65‰,exhibiting a general tendency of increasing. There were 2 counties (districts) where the incidence was equal to or more than 1‰. The mortality of NT ranged from 11.11% to 37.50%。It was observed that Yuecheng district and Shaoxing county where economics were relatively developed were dominated by the disease, with no seasonal. Of the 78 cases diagnosed, floating population accounted for 89.74% and males were more affected than females, with the ratio being 2.12:1. Most cases developed clinical manifestations 5-8 days after birth. 83.33% of the cases were infants delivered at home with the help of an untrained midwife. And all the mothers had no definite inoculation history of tetanus toxoid. Conclusion The dominant factors contributing to NT involve old midwifery, lack of tetanus toxoid injection before labor and delivery, and population floating. It is believed that eradication of NT can be achieved through improving self-care among pregnant women, promoting hospital delivery, inoculating high risk groups with TT and strengthening training of new midwifery.