Under-reporting of tetanus and diphtheria cases in Jamaica: 1980-1986

A survey of tetanus and diphtheria cases admitted to nine hospitals in Jamaica between 1980 and 1986 was carried out. When compared with notifications to the Ministry of Health over the same period, it was found that 117 out of 172 tetanus admissions (68 percent) and of 72 diphtheria admissions (12.5 percent) were not reported. There were 11 cases of neonatal tetanus while over half of all tetanus cases were adults 20 years of age or over with twice as many males as female (99:45). Forty-one of the diphtheria cases (57 percent) were aged 1-3 years. The study reveals a high level of under-reporting especially of tetanus. There is a need for tetanus toxoid boosters every 10 years. The importance of reporting notifiable diseases is stressed (AU)

Infant mortality rate in three parishes of western Jamaica, 1980

The infant mortality rate is a sensitive index of health. However, in recent years, perhaps due to under-registration of deaths, the infant mortality rates for Jamaica, and particularly for certain parishes, have been so low as to make their accuracy questionable. This study sought to establish the infant mortality rates for the parishes of St. James, Hanover and Trelawny during 1980. Information on infant deaths in 1980 was sought from a variety of sources, as was information on live births in the same year. The infant mortality rate (1980) for the combined parsihes of St.James, Hanover and Trelawny was estimated to be 27 per 1000 live births. It was estimated that only 31 percent of infant deaths in 1980 were registered. Health personnel were much more aware of infant deaths than were the Registrars of Births and Deaths and, hence, the Registrar-General. Possible reasons for under-registration of infant deaths are suggested, but the topic requires further research. Attempts should be made to improve the registration of infant deaths (AU)