Recommendation of Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination for Pregnant Females in a Country that Achieved Elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus

Azza Mehanna

doi:10.33696/gynaecology.2.010

Abstract

Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is a lifethreatening disease, its case fatality approaches 100% in absence of medical care. It is linked to miscarriages, abortion, unhygienic delivery conditions, and poor cord care practices.

Highlights

Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is a lifethreatening disease, its case fatality approaches 100% in absence of medical care
While interviewing the studied females, we noticed that the majority mentioned that throughout their antenatal care (ANC) visits, their obstetricians never brought up the issue of tetanus toxoid vaccination, even worse, when women, who had some knowledge about the vaccine, inquired about their need to receive it, obstetricians did not recommend for vaccination
One plausible explanation is that most of the high and middle social class women, who are usually better educated and more capable of delivery in private wellequipped hospitals, utilize the private medical sector for ANC [9,12,15]. This may interpret the discrepancy between the attitudes of private sector health care providers and public sector health care providers who seem to be more committed to the ministry of health and population (MOHP) guidelines regarding tetanus toxoid vaccination

Summary

Introduction

Maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) is a lifethreatening disease, its case fatality approaches 100% in absence of medical care. Routine tetanus toxoid immunization of pregnant women remains part of the antenatal care (ANC) service provided to females in the public health sector which is the main source for tetanus toxoid vaccination in Egypt [7,8]. Recommendation of Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination for Pregnant Females in a Country that Achieved Elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus.

Results

Conclusion