Neonatal Mortality Due to Tetanus in Iran

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/20-3-13286 During March and October 1985 surveys on basic health indicators were carried out on 10% of the rural and urban population of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Families were selected by systematic random sampling. In the visited families all deaths occurring during the year preceding the interview were recorded by age, sex and cause. Deaths in the first month of life received particular attention for signs of neonatal tetanus. The neonatal mortality rate was 21 per 1000 live births and neonatal tetanus mortality rate 5 per 1000 live births. It is estimated that over 1000 children died from tetanus in 1984 in Iran. Neonatal tetanus mortality rate was lower in urban areas than in rural areas. The elimination of neonatal tetanus is still in its early stages and immunization of pregnant women (now 32.3% second shot) and training of traditional birth attendants need to be accelerated.