Incidence and Factors Associated with Death for Tetanus in Adults

Introduction: Tetanus has a worldwide distribution and high lethality. The goal of this study was to characterize the tetanus cases confirmed in Pernambuco and identify factors associated with death in these patients. Methods: Cross-sectional, with internal comparison groups. For data analysis we used the chi-square test and Pearson estimated the odds ratios and their respective confidence intervals at 95%. Multivariate analysis was applied to multiple logistic regression Results: The incidence of tetanus ranged between 0.65 and 2.79 cases per 100,000 inhabitants with higher involvement of adults, male and city population. Only 13.8% had received the vaccine and 23.4% received it as prophylaxis. The average mortality rate was 20.4%. In multivariate analysis, presented neck stiffness as a symptom (p = 0.029), which was associated with increased mortality. Conclusion: There is a need for greater investment in the prevention of the disease, both in immunization coverage and in the application of prophylaxis. Despite the hospitalization guarantee with proper care, there was an increase in tetanus mortality, suggesting that more specific studies should be conducted to investigate what may have influenced this change. Special attention should be offered to cases that presented neck stiffness as a symptom, because these groups have a higher chance of progressing to death.