Introduction: Tetanus is a major
health problem in
developing countries , and is associated with high a
morbidity and
mortality . There are no recent local data in
Kenya on the impact of the
disease in terms of
morbidity and
mortality . The objective of this study was to describe the type, severity,
risk factors ,
immunization history and outcome of
tetanus patients at Kenyatta National
Hospital (KNH).
Method: This was a retrospective descriptive study of
patients with a
clinical diagnosis of
tetanus admitted to KNH over ten years,
who were
aged 13 years and above. All available files with
tetanus diagnosis were selected, and the
patients ' data were retrieved and analysed using SPSS
Software version 21.0.
Results: Out of 53
patients with
tetanus , 50 (94.3%) were
males and 3 (5.7%) were
females . The mean age at presentation was 33.2 years (SD= 15.6). Only 4 (7.5%)
patients had prior
tetanus immunization . The commonest
risk factor was acute
injury - seen in 37 (69.8%)
patients . The common site of
injury was the
lower limb - seen in 26 (49.1%)
patients . The incubation period ranged from 3 to 90 days (IQR 7-17). Generalized
tetanus was the commonest form found in 50 (94.3%)
patients . Only 16 (30.2%)
patients were managed in the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The overall
mortality was 49.1%.
Conclusion: Tetanus mortality is still high as reported in many other studies. Most
patients were
males without prior
immunization history . Only few
patients were managed in
Intensive Care Unit . We recommend advocacy on
tetanus immunization and booster dosing