Abstract
This is a retrospective study of all adult patients with tetanus managed at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex from 1995-2004. The aim was to study the pattern of adult tetanus in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and see what improvements could be made in the future in particular with regard to decreasing the prevalence in our environment. Data was obtained from the hospital records of all the patients, the admission and discharge registers of the medical wards of the hospital. 79 adult patients with tetanus were managed during the study period and they accounted for 44% of neurological admissions. There were 56 males and 23 females giving a M:F ratio of 2.4 to 1. 45 (57%) of the patients were under 30 yrs of age and two-thirds (67%) had puncture wounds in the lower limbs. 20 patients (25%) had mild tetanus, 16 (20%) had moderate disease and 43 (55%) had severe tetanus. The patients were treated with tetanus antitoxin, antibiotics and sedatives. The mortality rate was 45% and laryngeal spasm was the most common cause of death. None of the patients was managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Tetanus remains a major public health problem in Nigeria. It is commonly associated with high mortality due to late presentation. Health education should be promoted to reduce the unacceptable prevalence in our practice setting.
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