Neonatal Tetanus Elimination

Abstract

Nonatal tetanus is amajor health problem affecting the rural communities of Thailand. The Office of Commuicable Disease Control Region 10, collaboration with the Center for Health Promotion Region 10 and the Provincial Chief Medical Offices of Payao and Chiangrai conducted a neonatal tetanus elimination project from October 1991 to September 1992. The project’s main strategy was to provide tetanus vaccination to women of child-bering age (14-45 years), in two high disease prevalence areas, in each of two provinces. Evaluation after the vaccination campaign found immunization coverage in Payao and Chiangrai to be 82.6%, respectively. Some problems exist which are specific to Chiangrai, such as, no antenatal care, for 10.7% of the pregnant women, resulting in 16.9% infant home deliveries and 14.3% deliveries being performed by a relative. Identifying and controlling all high risk factors is vital in preventing the occurrence of this disease.