Awareness of Women about Tetanus in Baghdad

Background: Tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine is still recommended for pregnant women even in countries that declared elimination of neonatal tetanus (NT) and consequently the maternal tetanus (MT). Many factors may affect TT vaccination during pregnancy. Awareness is a key factor that greatly affect the pregnant women to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination during pregnancy. Aims of study: To assess the awareness of women regarding different aspects of tetanus and tetanus toxoid vaccination as well as to identify the factors influencing their awareness. Subjects and Method: A cross sectional study conducted in Baghdad from first of April to the end of September 2021. Convenient sample of women in reproductive age, attended the designated primary health care centers for the study were enrolled. An interview questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data pertaining to awareness of women about tetanus toxoid immunization and tetanus infection. Results: The total number of women enrolled in the study was 400, the study found that that 35.2% and 35% of women had good and fair level of awareness respectively. Good awareness level was significantly higher among older aged women and those with higher level of education as well as working women. Good awareness was more prominent among women’s having1-2 children (39%), as compared to those having five and more children (21.3%). Antenatal care attendance and place of delivery shown statistical significant link with level of awareness. Women identify family members and friends as their primary sources of information about tetanus infection and immunization. Conclusion: Women’s awareness was acceptable regarding Tetanus and TT immunization. Yet still there is a place for proper health education targeting young women to bridge gap in the connection between the tetanus immunization status of women and the occurrence of Maternal neonatal tetanus (MNT), as well as need for the appraisal of the components of health information delivered by health care providers to women attending antenatal care clinics.