Current Aspects of Non-Neonatal Tetanus at the University Hospital of Brazzaville

Abstract

Objective: Tetanus is present in Congo, the objective of this work is to study the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of non-neonatal tetanus cases and to formulate recommendations. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted among patients admitted to the infectious diseases department of the University Hospital Center of Brazzaville, from January 1st 2018 to December 31st 2020. The data collected were : age, sex, portal of entry, clinical signs, duration of hospitalization, stage of tetanus as well as evolution. Results: A total of 44 cases of non-neonatal tetanus was found among the 2440 patients admited during the study period, with a frequency of 1.8%. A male predominance was observed, the sex ratio M/F was 4.5. The average age was 31.6 ± 2.9 years with extremes of 6 and 78 years. The age group 15-24 years (31.8%) was the most represented. More than half of the patients were single (81.8%) with a secondary level of education level (54.5%), most were students (38.6%). The main portal of entry for tetanus was integumentary in 77.3% of patients. About 70.5% of patients were not vaccinated. Most of them (59.1%) had a moderate form of tetanus, the Dakar score was between 2-3. The mortality rate was 36.4% and was associated with patient age and duration of hospitalization. Conclusion: It is important to promote vaccination against tetanus from adolescence. Systematic verification of their vaccination status and updating them by the administration of the tetanus vaccine and booster doses is necessary. The continuous training of health professionals on the effective management of risky situations or cases of tetanus must be integrated into the strategy for the fight against tetanus.