Tetanus Toxoid Immunization Coverage in Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, South East Zone, Nigeria

Background: Tetanus toxoid immunization is given to pregnant women and women of child bearing age to prevent neonatal tetanus and maternal tetanus. The tetanus toxoid vaccine is given five times to women of child bearing age. If the vaccination is given with correct dose, through the right route of administration and completely the woman will be protected for life/ all child bearing years. It was therefore necessary to find out the tetanus toxoid coverage in such tertiary health institution where many pregnant women attend and immunization is given.
Objective: To determine the tetanus toxoid coverage in the health facility.
Methods: Records of the data management tools of Tetanus Toxoid (TT) immunization were checked and data collected. The data was collected from tetanus toxoid register in the immunization unit of Federal medical centre, Umuahia. Data was analyzed with Excel and Epi info.
Results: The health facility summary form showed steady increase in coverage rate for TT1 and TT2 pregnant women only from 2006(33%, 28%) to 2012(64%, 50%) except 2010(37%, 29%) where it reduced. The dropout rate of TT1/TT2 ranged from 14% in 2011 to 28% in 2009. The dropout rate in 2012 was 22%. In immunization register 2006-2009, those that competed (took TT1 to TT5) ranged from 10%-16%.However, those that started in 2010 to 2012 were not expected to have taken up to TT5 due to interval of administration
Conclusion: The coverage rate of TT was low with highest coverage rate in 2012 and there was also high dropout rate. This showed that many pregnant women are still not immunized with TT and some that started did not get the second dose indicating no protection.