Tetanus Morbidity and MortaIitil in Taiwan

Bureau of Disease Control

1985 Vol.1 NO.5

Correspondence Author：

Abstract：

From 1956 to 1983, the incidence of tetanus in Taiwan decreased from 11.0 to 0.052 cases per 100,000 population (Figure 2). The tetanus mortality rate also decreased during this period from 10.0 to 0.024 deaths per 100,000 population. From 1962 to 1983, the neonatal tetanus mortality rate (tetanus deaths in infants under one month of age) declined from 37.0 to 0.27 deaths per 100,000 live births. During this period, the proportion of tetanus deaths due to neonatal tetanus also dechlined from 68 to 10 percent Although the incidence of tetanus decreased in all age groups, the largest reduction occurred among infants ( Table 1 ). Since 1978, more than half of all reported tetanus cases occurred in persons over 45 years of age. The incidence of tetanus decreased in all geographic areas, and from 1979 to 1983, only one county ( Yulin ) had an average rate over 0.5 cases per 100,000 population ( Figure 3). During this period, 100 (86%) of the 116 tetanus cases were reported by eight counties with only 34 percent 0f the total population. The type of injury resulting in tetanus was known for 46 adult cases during this period; 23 (50%) resulted from puncture wounds. The material causing the puncture was known for 17 cases ; 8 (47%) resulted from punctures by bamboo sticks.