Tetanus: An Analysis of the Prognosticating Factors of Cases Seen in a Tertiary Hospital in a Developing African Country between 1990 and 2000

Abstract

This is an analysis of the effects of prognosticating factors on the outcome of a case series of 66 patients with tetanus, presenting between 1990 and 2000. The mortality rate was 26.2% with a fatality rate of 16.2% for those under 40 years of age. This increased to 75% for those patients above 70 years of age. The socio-economic status, immunization status, the incubation period, and age of the patient together with the severity of the spasms, duration of hospital stay, type of treatment received and time of onset were found to affect the outcome of the patients.