COVERAGE OF TETANUS TOXOID AND RUBELLA VACCINATION AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS OF QAMC AND IUB, BAHAWALPUR

Introduction: Tetanus also called Lockjaw is a highly characteristic disease caused by Clostridium Tetani found in the soil throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world. This disease can be prevented by the use of vaccine and developing countries like Pakistan are trying to eliminate this disease by various vaccination programs i.e. vaccination program of reproductive age group women. Rubella is a contagious disease caused by a virus. While the infection is mild in children but in pregnant women, it can cause fetal death or severe congenital defects like Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). Objective: The objective of the study was to: 1. Determine the vaccination coverage of Tetanus Toxoid and Rubella among female students of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and Islamia University, university Chowk, Bahawalpur. Materials and Methods: Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study. Study Setting: It was conducted in Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and Islamia University, Bahawalpur. Results: The vaccination coverage against Tetanus was found to be 75% while 25% were non-vaccinated. According to the grading of vaccination status, 25% were not vaccinated at all while 73% were partially vaccinated and only 2% were completely vaccinated. The reasons for not being vaccinated were fear (16%), unawareness (68%), bad experience (4%), don't think its useful (8%), others (4%). The vaccination coverage against Rubella was found to be 12% while remaining 88% were nonvaccinated. According to the grading of vaccination status, 88% were non-vaccinated while 9% were partially vaccinated and only 3% were completely vaccinated. The reasons for not being vaccinated were unawareness (73.8%), fear (5.6%), bad experience (2.2%), don't think its useful (5.6%), others (12.5%). Conclusion: About two-third of the female students were immunized against Tetanus. Among them mostly were partially vaccinated. Reasons for not being vaccinated were unawareness, fear and bad experience. Only few students were vaccinated against Rubella. Unawareness, fear and bad experience were the main reasons for non-vaccination.