Under-reporting of tetanus and diphtheria: cases in Jamaica 1980-1986

RESUMO

A survey of tetanus and diphtheria cases admitted to nine hospitals in Jamaica between 1980 and 1986 was carried out. When compared with notifications to the Ministry of Health over same period, it was found that 117 out of 172 tetanus adminssions (68%) and nine of 72 diphtheria admissions (12.5%) were not reported. There were 11 cases of neonatal tetanus while over half of all tetanus cases were in adultsm 20 years of age or over with twice as many as females (9945) Forty-one of the diphtheria case (57%) werte aged 1-3 years. The study reveals a high level of under-reporting especially of tetanus. There is a need for tetanus toxoid boosters every 10 years. The importance of reporting notifiable diseases is stressed