Citation

Mamtani R, Malhotra P, Gupta PS, Jain BK. Int. J. Epidemiol. 1978; 7(2): 185-188.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, International Epidemiological Association, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

681065

Abstract

An analysis of 240 patients, aged 15+, admitted to the tetanus ward of Irwin Hospital, New Delhi, with clinically diagnosed tetanus is reported. 134 patients (55.8%) came from rural areas and 106 (44.2%) from urban areas. The male--female ratio for both groups was approximately 2:1. Rural patients were younger, showed a longer incubation period and experienced a lower crude case fatality rate. Traditional practices like the application of cow dung to wounds, ear piercing and tatooing, and chronic ear infections were important factors in developing tetanus, demonstrating a need for health education in rural communities.

Language: en