[Tetanus vaccination of women of childbearing age in Bamako (Mali)].

In Mali, despite the existence of a national vaccination policy, coverage of neonatal tetanus remains low. According to the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) IV Mali, the rate of births protected against neonatal tetanus is 56%. The objective of this study was to investigate the status of tetanus toxoid (TT) in women of reproductive age (WRA) in the municipality V of Bamako District. The study was conducted in Mali in the municipality V of the Bamako District. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from July to October 2006. The target population was composed of women of reproductive age and health care providers. A total of 262 people, including 200 women of childbearing age and 62 health care providers were interviewed. The age group 14-23 years accounted for 39% of WRA. Among the WRA, 27.4% did not know that tetanus vaccination is to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus. Most of WRA, or 61.8%, thought that a single dose of TT was enough to be protected. Among WRA surveyed, 76.2% were vaccinated where 66.7% had received between 2 and 10 doses of TT. Women who received no dose of TT were nulliparous and primiparous. The main reasons given by women who had not received vaccination were lack of knowledge (47.6%), lack of time (14.3%) and neglect (23.8%). The health personnel interviewed spoke of running out of TT stocks less than a week after receiving new orders, in 7/11 health centers. Strengthening Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for tetanus vaccination and immunization schedule compliance will increase tetanus vaccination coverage. To avoid stockouts, we recommend a regular and sufficient reorder of TT in health centers.