A Community-based Survey to Quantify Risk Factors for Neonatal Tetanus in Rivers State

Abstract

Summary: A cross-sectional survey, using standard e iieiniological methods, was carried out in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Rivers State with the aim of quantifying risk factors for neonatal tetanus (NNT). Twenty-eight of 1,867 children from the 1464 households that were surveyed, sat isfied the WHO criteria for the diagnosis of NNT; there was thus an incidence of 15 cases of NNT per 1000 live births. Non-attendance for antenatal care and delivery outside health-care establishments had overriding effects on other risk factors. The other important risk factor was the formal educational level of the mothers. It is suggested that improvement in the educational level of mothers, promotion of health-seeking behaviours and healthy practices among parents and health work ers are specific ways of reducing the prevalence of NNT.