From the' Department of Infectious Diseases, and the Department of Statistics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of lran.
Abstract: (3971 Views)
An analysis of 382 patients, aged 12 and over, admitted to the infectious
disease ward of Amin Hospital in Isfahan over a 20 year period with clinically
diagnosed tetanus is reported. The study comprised 297 patients, 77.7%
from rural areas and 85(22.3%) from the city of Isfahan. The male- female
ratio for both groups was approximately 2:1. Rural patients were younger
and showed a lower crude case fatality rate. Traditional practices such as
application of cow manure to the wounds, and unhygienic circumcision and
ear piercing were important contributing factors in developing tetanus,
demonstrating a need for health education in rural communities.