A comparative study of urban and rural tetanus in adults.
An analysis of 240 patients, aged 15+, admitted to the tetanus ward of Irwin Hospital, New Delhi, with clinically diagnosed tetanus is reported. 134 patients (55.8%) came from rural areas and 106 (44.2%) from urban areas. The male--female ratio for both groups was approximately 2:1. Rural patients were younger, showed a longer incubation period and experienced a lower crude case fatality rate. Traditional practices like the application of cow dung to wounds, ear piercing and tatooing, and chronic ear infections were important factors in developing tetanus, demonstrating a need for health education in rural communities.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012424:Rural Population; D013742:Tetanus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014505:Urban Population; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications