Tetanus campaign to target women

A new tetanus campaign is targeting 2.6 million women in Ethiopia, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.

Women of childbearing age between the ages of 15 and 49 are being targeted in the Oromiya and Amhara regions.

Ethiopia is ranked as having the fourth highest number of deaths due to neonatal tetanus in the world with over 40,000 estimated infant deaths.

Globally, neonatal tetanus is responsible for about 200,000 infants annually. Maternal tetanus is responsible for approximately 30,000 deaths annually all over the world.

“We have the means to prevent these unwanted deaths and stop this silent killer,” said UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia Bjorn Ljungqvist. “Hence we are appealing to every woman of
child-bearing age in Ethiopia to avail themselves of this opportunity.”

Tetanus or lockjaw is a disease caused by bacteria called clostridium tetani which grow in infected wounds or in a baby's umbilical cord when it is exposed to the germ. The germ is commonly found in the environment, in soil containing manure and the bacteria form spores which can survive in the environment for years.

People of all ages can get tetanus but pregnant women and their neonates are most at risk during and after delivery causing death in a newborn child.

The disease can be prevented through immunisation with at least three or more doses of Tetanus Toxoid, as well as through clean delivery practices.