Introduction Non accidental injury sustained following deliberate self-harm or inflicted by parents or caregivers for disciplinary, traditional and therapeutic measures have grave consequences including exposing the incompletely child to post neonatal tetanus. This contributes to the continuing high incidence of post neonatal tetanus in developing countries. Methods A 12 year retrospective review of all children admitted into the children’s ward of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital with diagnosis of post neonatal tetanus was carried out. The demographic characteristics of the children were documented. Immunization status, possible portal of entry and outcome status were also recorded. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 22. Results There was a male preponderance of 70.5% amongst the 44 children with post neonatal tetanus. Non-accidental injuries accounted for 20(45.5%). Broom stick injury sustained during corporal punishment was responsible for 60% of tetanus from the non-accidental injury group. Low socio economic class and Inadequate or no immunizations are major risk factors for tetanus infection. Conclusion Non accidental injuries inflicted on children as disciplinary measures accounted for about half of children with post neonatal tetanus. Broom stick injury was a major contributory factor. Lack of immunization and low social class remains major risk factors for post neonatal tetanus. Post neonatal tetanus presents another reason for sustained campaign against physical abuse of children.

Although the causes of stigma are complex, a lack of knowledge about epilepsy has been considered to be an important factor in the negative attitudes towards people with this clinical condition Epileptics are sometimes victims of discriminatory attitudes, and unnecessary, if not dangerous measures are applied in an attempt to assist them during an epileptic fit. 2,3 ABSTRACT Background: Epilepsy is associated with social stigma and discrimination which is often harmful and devastating. Lack of knowledge and misconception is responsible for these negative attitudes. Public awareness and education are known to improve perception towards epileptics. Methods: A sensitization workshop among community leaders on epilepsy was carried out in a rural community in Cross River State, Nigeria. A pretest questionnaire was administered to participants based on items related to knowledge and perception towards epileptics. The respondents were offered a 2-hour workshop on the causes, types, cure and myths about epilepsy. The same questionnaire was again applied after the workshop. The responses before and after intervention were compared using the McNemar test statistic, with a significance level at p<0.05. Results: Seventy-two respondents participated in the study comprising of 42 (58.3%) males and 30 (41.7%) females. Twenty-eight (38.9%) had primary education and the same number had tertiary education. There was a positive correlation between level of education and performances in the perception towards various domains of epilepsy. Statistical significant differences were found in perceptions regarding cure, mode of contracting epilepsy and potentials of epileptics. However, no statistical difference in perception after the intervention regarding marriage to epileptics. Conclusions: Respondents with higher level of education demonstrated significantly better awareness and attitude towards epileptics compared to those with lower levels the intervention package produced a significant improvement in most domains of perception about epilepsy. Public enlightenment is effective in reducing social stigma and discrimination. It should be encouraged to curtail the negative attitude and perception towards epileptics.