Incidence of Tetanus Neonatorum Among Infants in Upland Municipalities of llocos Sur

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the incidence of tetanus neonatorum among infants born to mothers with tetanus toxoid immunization in upland municipalities of llocos Sur. The respondents of this study were 33 mothers who delivered a baby with tetanus neonatorum in the upland municipalities of /locos Sur. A questionnaire
supplemented with informal interview with the respondents was used in gathering the data. Frequency counts and percentages were used in the analysis of data. Phicoefficient was also used to show the relationship ofthe incidence oftetanus neonatorum and the importance of tetanus toxoid immunization. The average mother was 31.29 years old, finished elementary education, was a housekeeper, and belonged to the catholic religion. Most of the respondents did not subject themselves to prenatal check up and did not receive the recommended dose of tetanus toxoid immunization which could protect their child from acquiring tetanus neonatorum. They preferred the hilot as
their birth attendant and delivered their babies in their own homefor economics reasons. They observed varied practices in caring the umbilical cord of their babies. Some of them used 70% alcohol and betadine in cleaning the umbilical stump. But some used powder and even ashes of coconut shell and burned leaves which are very dangerous and are predisposing factors to the infection of the umbilical cord of the baby. A moderate positive relationship between the incidence of tetanus neonaturom and the importance of tetanus toxoid immunization was shown.