Knowledge and health beliefs of reproductive-age women in Alexandria about tetanus toxoid immunization

Azza Mehanna,Ibrahim Kharboush,Mervat H Ali

doi:10.1186/s42506-020-00049-8

Azza Mehanna, Ibrahim Kharboush + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-020-00049-8

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Abstract

BackgroundMaternal neonatal tetanus is a substantial public health problem in many developing countries. In 2017, nearly, 30,848 newborns died of neonatal tetanus; thus, high immunization coverage remains a necessity. This study aims to assess knowledge and health beliefs of reproductive-age women in Alexandria about tetanus toxoid immunization.MethodsA cross-section survey of 700 females attending health offices in Alexandria was done using an interview questionnaire to collect data regarding women’s knowledge and beliefs about tetanus toxoid vaccine (TTV) and maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). Nine health offices were selected using multi-stage random sampling.ResultsMost of studied women (83.6%) had poor knowledge of MNT and TTV. The highest percentage of women had low perception of susceptibility to MNT (48.0%), moderate perception of severity of MNT (57.4%) and barriers to TTV (58.9%), high perception of benefits of TTV (86.6%), and high self-efficacy in taking the vaccine (76.2%). Less than one-third of the sampled women (27.7%) were immune by (TT2+). Logistic regression models showed that the place of antenatal care, level of knowledge, perceived barriers, and socio-economic level were significant predictors of immunity status (p = 0.008, p = 0.032, p = 0.011, and p = 0.001, respectively).ConclusionWomen lacked information about MNT/TTV and may even have been discouraged by their private obstetricians from taking the vaccine. Perceived barriers to receiving tetanus toxoid vaccination were shown to be an important predictor of immunization behavior

Highlights

Maternal neonatal tetanus remains a significant cause of neonatal and infant mortality in a number of developing countries [1, 2].Tetanus is an acute infectious non-communicable disease caused by bacteria Clostridium tetani
This study aims to explore knowledge and health beliefs of Egyptian women in Alexandria regarding maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT)/tetanus toxoid vaccine (TTV) using the theoretical framework of the Health Belief Model
All women received antenatal care in their last pregnancy; the vast majority of them (90.9%) received antenatal care in the private sector, while only a small percentage received antenatal care in maternal and child health centers (MCH) and governmental sector mainly in El-Shatby followed by Gamal Abd El-Naser Aboquir hospitals (5.9% and 3.2% respectively) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Maternal neonatal tetanus remains a significant cause of neonatal and infant mortality in a number of developing countries [1, 2]. Tetanus is an acute infectious non-communicable disease caused by bacteria Clostridium tetani. Women exposed to the organism during pregnancy or within 6 weeks after delivery are liable to develop maternal tetanus. In 2017 (the latest year for which estimates are available), nearly 30,848 newborns died of neonatal tetanus [1, 5]. Maternal neonatal tetanus is a substantial public health problem in many developing countries. In 2017, nearly, 30,848 newborns died of neonatal tetanus; high immunization coverage remains a necessity. This study aims to assess knowledge and health beliefs of reproductive-age women in Alexandria about tetanus toxoid immunization

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