Assessment of knowledge about Tetanus Diphtheria vaccination of patients with trauma among medical interns: an analytical cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the importance of tetanus vaccination in children and adults, recognizing the necessities and priorities of tetanus vaccine injection is essential for health care providers. Medical interns have a crucial role in treating patients at hospitals and as future physicians. This study aims to evaluate Tabriz University of Medical Sciences medical interns' knowledge about tetanus vaccination in patients with trauma.
Methods: All interns of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences enrolled in the study. Interns who did not want to participate in the study and those on-call were excluded from the study. Eventually, 250 interns gathered in a conference hall, and a questionnaire of 10 questions was presented to them as a hypothetical traumatic event. Correct and incorrect answers to each question, age, and gender were analyzed.
Results: Only in three questions, more than half of the participants answered correctly. These were questions 10, 1, and 2, with 67.2%, 59.2%, and 50.8% of participants answering them correctly, respectively. Also, in 5 questions, less than 20% answered correctly. The maximum overall score was 7. Analysis of these results between the two sexes did not show a significant difference in the number of correct answers and the percentage response to each question. Additionally, age was not indicated as a variable involved in the total score of the participants.
Conclusion: Regardless of the age and gender, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences’ medical interns’ knowledge about the precise indications of tetanus prevention in adults and children is poor.

Keywords: medical students, tetanus, vaccination