The pattern and outcome of adult tetanus at a sub-urban tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
Though tetanus is a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, there is a paucity of data on the pattern and outcome of the disease among the sub-urban and rural populations. This retrospective study of adult tetanus at a suburban tertiary hospital in Nigeria reports a high case fatality rate of 57.1% in 35 patients with a mean age of 33.0+/-14.8 years. Severity of disease (p=0.02), presence of complications (p=0.001) and length of hospital stay (p<0.001) were significantly associated with fatality. Preventive measures for control of tetanus should be extended to the inaccessible suburban and rural areas of Nigeria.
Fawibe
A E
AE
Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. drdemola@yahoo.com
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013742:Tetanus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult