Knowledge about tetanus immunization among doctors in Delhi.
BACKGROUND
In spite of the clear-cut guidelines regarding tetanus immunization, we have observed that tetanus toxoid injection is often given after injury without considering previous immunization status. One of the reasons for this could be that the doctors themselves are not aware of the correct immunization schedules against tetanus.


OBJECTIVE
1. To assess the knowledge about tetanus immunization in relation to injuries among doctors. 2. To assess their knowledge about tetanus immunization schedules in children, pregnant women and adults.


METHODS
It was a cross-sectional study conducted in Delhi.


METHODS
After complete enlisting of all the government allopathic hospitals and dispensaries, a representative sample (including private practitioners from the nearby area of selected dispensaries) of doctors was selected. All the doctors were personally contacted and information was collected through a pre-structured self-administered proforma.


METHODS
Data was analyzed using a computer and wherever applicable Chi-square test/Z test or Fishers' Exact test was applied.


CONCLUSIONS
As many as 38.3% of doctors favored tetanus toxoid injection after every injury. The correct knowledge of immunization against tetanus in children, pregnant women and adults was 75%, 90.8% and 35.8% respectively. The knowledge regarding when to give boosters was even poorer. The present study showed that doctors had poor knowledge about tetanus immunization that needs to be improved.
Kumar
Rajesh
R
Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi - 110 002, India. prtickle@rediffmail.com
Taneja
D K
DK
Dabas
P
P
Ingle
G K
GK
Saha
R
R
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007194:India; D010820:Physicians; D011247:Pregnancy; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
D013745:Tetanus Toxoid