A Prospective Study of Tetanus Cases among Adults Admitted in Al Gamhouria Teaching Hospital and Private Hospital in Aden City - Yemen

Abstract Background: Tetanus is a major health problem in many developing countries, with significant morbidity and mortality due to lack of environmental hygiene and health education, incomplete vaccination, and inadequate intensive care facilities. Aim of Study: To observe the demography, clinical pattern and outcomes of tetanus patients. Patients and Methods: It was a prospective study carried outin Al-Gamhouria teaching hospital and private Hospital in Aden-Yemen over a period of four years, Between September 2017 to September 2021. It included 40 patients >16 years of age presented with moderate to severe tetanus, which diagnosed clinically, particular focus being given for sex, age, rural/urban background, clinical pattern, in addition to outcome. Results: During the study period, 40 patients were enrolled, mean age was (34±10) SD years, (70%) were males and (30%) cases were females, (40%) of patients belonging to the age group of (31-40) years, (60%) of patients enrolled in this study came from rural areas, (80%) of patients gave the history of injury prior to the onset of symptoms, lock jaw was the most common manifestation at time of arrival, it was (95%) follow by spasm of body muscles (85%) dysautonomia (40%) arching of back (15%). (57.5 %) of patients survived while (42.5%) of the subjects died. Conclusion: Tetanus is still a problem in developing countries. It is a potentially fatal disease, without early medical intervention. Primary immunizations and scheduled booster immunizations are important preventive measures that have greatly reduced the incidence of tetanus.