Awareness of Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination among Women of Reproductive Age Attending Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Mymensingh Med J. 2024 Jan;33(1):154-159.

Abstract

Maternal and neonatal tetanus is still a major but preventable cause of mortality in many developing countries like Bangladesh. Women of reproductive age are very prone to tetanus infection. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at outpatient department (OPD) of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital, Bangladesh from October 2019 to April 2020 to determine the level of awareness about Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccination in women of reproductive age 15-49 years. Data were collected from 342 women by face to face interview with a semi-structured questionnaire. A large number of the respondents (43.27%) were belonged to 15-24 years age group, majority (92.98%) were Muslim and most of them (41.28%) were SSC passed. A very large number of them (78.36%) were married and (64.55%) had 1-2 children. More than three quarter (78.36%) of women heard about tetanus and 83.96% women thought that tetanus is preventable by TT vaccination. Among the respondents who had heard about tetanus, majority (68.67%) of them had taken TT vaccine, 92.58% of them had taken the first dose before 25 years of age and 71.05% had completed the full course. Regarding awareness of the respondents, 65.79% were aware of risk of neonatal tetanus of an unimmunized mother & 61.19% distinguished that agent of tetanus can be transmitted through wounds. It is considered that the findings of the study will provide a useful basis for further research and planning.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatients
  • Tetanus Toxoid*
  • Tetanus* / prevention & control
  • Toxoids
  • Vaccination
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Toxoids