title: Tetanus in Ethiopia: analysis of 55 cases from Addis Ababa.
abstract: Fifty five cases of tetanus in patients over age 11 years from 6 Addis Ababa hospitals over several years are analyzed. No patient had been immunized. Mean age was 30, male:female 39:16, 34 patients were admitted from April through August (P less than .05). Most common causes of wounds were metal objects, thorns, and nails. There was no history of trauma in 8 patients. Mean incubation period was 11.9 days (range 1-90 days), mean invasion period was 38 hours (range less than 1 day-9 days). All cases were generalized tetanus, clinically diagnosed. Laboratory data was not helpful in management. Patients were treated with tetanus antitoxin, antibiotics, and sedatives. 15 patients (27%) died, there was no correlation between treatment and outcome. Deaths correlated with short incubation and invasion periods, and presence of abdominal rigidity, tachycardia, sweating, and fluctuating blood pressure. Only 3 patients received tetanus toxoid prior to discharge. Comparison is made with African and western studies. Tetanus remains a significant problem in Ethiopia, and vaccination is highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Addis Ababa University, Ethopia.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hodes
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Teferedegne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013742:Tetanus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013743:Tetanus Antitoxin