Knowledge and practice about TT vaccination among undergraduate female medical students

Abstract

Neonatal Tetanus (NT) is a clinical form of tetanus, generally occurs through infection via unhealed umbilicus. Newborns can be successfully protected against tetanus by vaccinating women with Tetanus Toxoid (TT). In our country, target groups for vaccination are vaccinated at Out-reach Centres (ORCs) and fixed centres (health facilities) free of cost. All women of reproductive age group, regardless of their marital and pregnancy status, are accessible to the vaccination programme. Illiteracy is one of the known important factors that stand in the way of vaccination. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was intended to assess knowledge about EPI diseases and vaccines, and TT vaccination status among 62 purposively selected undergraduate female students of Mymensingh Medical College (MMC), Mymensingh of session 2006-2007. Semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were managed manually by using master sheet and scientific calculator. Out of sixty-two, 44(70.97%) female students started to receive TT vaccination after completion of 15 years. Of them, only 5(11.36%) had completed the five dose schedule till the conduction of the study. Educational status of women is vital for effective utilization of available preventive health services. Vaccination programme is geographically, economically and culturally accessible in our country. Literacy status of our respondents was very high. Nonetheless, access rate for TT vaccine was very much dissatisfactory. So based on these findings, it can be concluded that creating community awareness is an important factor to improve utilization status of preventive programmes including vaccination.