Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices Regarding TetanusToxoid Immunization Among Nursing Mothers in Benue State, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease that causes an annual total of 309,000 deaths and in the year 2000 and it killed about 200,000 new borns. This study accesses the knowledge, beliefs and practices of tetanus toxoid immunization among nursing mothers attending immunization clinic at the rural community comprehensive health centre at Eke-Olengbecho, Okpokwu local government area of Benue state, North Central Nigeria. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional study among nursing mothers who attended ante natal clinic for a minimum of three visits during pregnancy in a rural comprehensive health centre at Eke- Olengbecho, Benue State, Nigeria. The research was carried out between March and April 2016. The respondents were recruited consecutively on first come basis on their clinic days until the required sample size of 150 was obtained. Data were collected with structured, pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire and analysed with Epi info version 3.5.1. Level of significance set for analysis was 5%. Results: One hundred and twenty (80.0%) of the respondents agreed that TT immunization protects against tetanus infection. Forty eight (48.0%) believed culture forbade them taken immunization during pregnancy, while 55(36.7%) said TT was harmful to their babies. One hundred and two (68.0%) practiced TT immunization in their last pregnancy. Majority 73(48.0%) got information about TT immunization from health workers while 53(35.3%) said they could not complete TT immunization because of poor attitude of health workers at centre. Conclusion: Some findings in this study have implications for the nursing mothers in the full utilization of the benefits of tetanus toxoid immunization in pregnancy. Health education is therefore essential to bridge this gap.