A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF URBAN AND RURAL TETANUS IN ADULTS

An analysis of 382 patients, aged 12 and over, admitted to the infectious disease ward of Amin Hospital in Isfahan over a 20 year period with clinically diagnosed tetanus is reported. The study comprised 297 patients, 77.7% from rural areas and 85(22.3%) from the city of Isfahan. The male- female ratio for both groups was approximately 2:1. Rural patients were younger and showed a lower crude case fatality rate. Traditional practices such as application of cow manure to the wounds, and unhygienic circumcision and ear piercing were important contributing factors in developing tetanus, demonstrating a need for health education in rural communities.