title: Knowledge about tetanus immunization among doctors in Delhi.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi - 110 002, India. prtickle@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Taneja
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dabas
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D013745:Tetanus Toxoid