Genital Factors with Tetanus in Nigerian Women

Abstract

THIS STUDY considers 53 adult females treated for Tetanus infection at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, from 1978 to 1984. A total of 50 patients (94.3%) were in the repro ductive years; 33 (62.3%) were parous women; and a majority of 28 patients (52.8%) were illiterates whose level of hygiene was unacceptably low. A significant proportion of patients (32.1%) had the Tetanus portal of entry clinically traceable to genital sepsis (notably postabortal and puerperal sepsis) while in 10 patients with no evident focus of Tetanus infec tion, 60% presented in the first half of the menstrual cycle. This finding draws attention to the probable aetiological role of the genital tract at menstruation as the source of Tetanus infection in a small but significant number of adult female patients in our community. Improved hygienic habits during menstruation should be emphasised to eliminate Tetanus infection in this group of women.