Arts and Social Sciences Journal

Neonatal Tetanus in African Children: Causes, Symptoms, Predisposing Factors, Prevention and Control

Abstract

VC Emeribe, LU Akah

This is a paper which examines the causes, symptoms, predisposing factors, prevention, and control of neonatal tetanus in African children. Neonatal tetanus was found to be the leading cause of death among neonates. It was found to result mainly from social and environmental factors, such as poor hygiene, use of non-sterile materials in treating the stump of umbilical cords in newborns, poor attendance to antenatal clinic, high-level illiteracy, and non-utilization of tetanus toxoid immunization. Based on the findings recommendations were proffered, which include: legislation in favor of anti-tetanus immunization as prerequisite for contracting marriages in courts in African countries; strategic and vigorous immunization exercise should be embarked upon at various levels; public enlightenment campaign targeted at exposing the nature of the disease to the entire public be carried out by ministries of health at state and federal level, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other health agencies.