PROTECTION AGAINST TETANUS TOXOID

To prevent the risks of babies contracting tetanus, two doses of tetanus toxoid are administered during these visits.

While ante natal care envisages a much broader range of activities, injection of tetanus toxoid is a useful indicator to gauge its availability.

The Pakistan Integrated Household Survey (PIHS) 2001 2002 shows that 39 expectant mothers (rural and urban combined) received tetanus toxoid protection in 1998 99.

In terms of ante natal care, as gauged by incidence of tetanus toxoid injection, 69 of the pregnant women in urban areas received such an injection compared to 38 rural women according to 2001 02 PIHS.

Of the 58 countries still seeking to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, 33 have initiated or expanded supplemental immunization activities for tetanus toxoid in high risk districts over the past four years, protecting almost 46 million women.

Of the 58 countries still to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), 33 have initiated or expanded supplemental immunization activities for tetanus toxoid (TT) in high risk districts over the past four years, protecting almost 46 million women.

With regard to prevention of tetanus during childbirth, it was found that during their pregnancy 23.6 per cent of women received at least one dose of vaccine against toxoid tetanus and 56.5 per cent two or more doses.