MATERNAL HEALTH
Tetanus Toxoid Coverage
Tetanus toxoid injections are given during pregnancy in order to prevent neonatal tetanus, a frequent cause of infant deaths when sterile procedures are not observed in cutting the umbilical cord following delivery. Table MH1 shows that, for 69 percent of births in the five-year period before the survey, the mother received at least one tetanus toxoid injection during pregnancy. This represents a slight increase from the 64 percent level in 1993 (NSO and MI, 1994:94). Tetanus toxoid coverage is lower for births in ARMM region and those to women with no education.