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Chapter-21 Tetanus: The Rural Health Problem

BOOK TITLE: Comprehensive Community Health Nursing

Author
1. Correia Cecy
ISBN
9789350251621
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11346_21
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2011
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
1. Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Sandor, Bangli, Vasai (W), Thane, Maharashtra, India, Uday General School of Nursing, Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Sandor, Bangli, Vasai (W), Thane, Maharashtra, India, Uday General School of Nursing Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital, Sandor, Bangli, Vasai (W), Thane, Maharashtra, India
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Tetanus is caused by extoxin of Clostridium is a gram positive, anaerobic spore bearing organism which look like a drum- stick shape. The spores are highly resistant and difficult to kill them with simple sterilization, this organism live in soil and dust. The bacilli found in cattle, horses, goats, and sheep where they are excreted in their faeces. All wounds are easily infected, due to trauma, non-aseptic condition like umbilical cord cut with unclean instrument cord dressed with ashes, soil, cow dung and animal manure. Street dirt is always contaminated with tetanus germs. Soil around fields, gardens, in rural area can also cause of tetanus. Agricultural workers who work in bear foot, having houses with floor that is earthen, animals lived close to human beings are in high risk when they come in contact with contaminated germs of tetanus spores. Other factors this organism may enter such as unhygienic environmental sanitation, unhygienic customs habits, as these spores, survive for years in nature. The bacilli also found in the intestine of man without causing ill effects to the person. They are blown in dust in a wide variety of situation. Today in developed countries it is rare disease. Tetanus is important endemic infection in India. Due to lack of hygienic condition together with it daily behaviour habits such as lack of hand washing, unclean delivery practices, and conducting traditional birth customs are all important factors affecting disease. Active immunization, preventing neonatal tetanus.

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