Erratum to: Clinical profile of tetanus patients attended at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cross sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2592-8.].

Clinical profile of tetanus patients attended at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, disease caused by an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. Tetanus remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia like other developed nations. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical profile and outcome of tetanus patients in a referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross sectional study in which we collected, compiled and analyzed medical records of patients aged greater than 15 years who were admitted at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital from Sep 2012 to Sep 2015. Tetanus was diagnosed using clinical observations. Data were entered, cleared, and analyzed using SPSS statistical software package. RESULTS: Among 110 tetanus cases 84 (76.4 %) were males. Trauma was the most common antecedent cause. Most of the patients had no history of tetanus toxoid immunization. Aspiration pneumonia at 34.5 % and dysautonomia at 11.8 % were found to be the most frequently observed complications. About 36 (32.7 %) patients were died due to tetanus and the most common immediate cause of death was respiratory failure at (83.3 %). Patients' area of residence (p = 0.004), type of complications (p = 0.00) and severity of tetanus (p = 0.00) were found to be statistically associated with the type of treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In the study, the case-fatality rate was found to be very high. Therefore, there is a need to universal tetanus immunization and health information dissemination.

Prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorder among children 6-12 years of age in shebe senbo district, jimma zone, southwest ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Iodine deficiency disorder is a major problem worldwide, especially during pregnancy and childhood. The magnitude of the problem is quite big in Ethiopia. The main aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and severity of iodine deficiency disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shebe Senbo District on January 2011. Three elementary schools were selected by lottery method from 20 schools. From each school, students were selected by simple random sampling. Spot urine sample (5 ml) was taken to measure urine iodine level; physical exam was made to palpate goiter and salt samples were collected to estimate iodine content. RESULTS: Out of 389 participants, 179 (46%) were males. The total goiter rate was 59.1% (Grade 1: 35.2%; Grade 2:23.9%). The median urinary iodine level was 56 4g/L that indicates iodine deficiency. Out of 389 households in the study area, 277 (71.2%) were using non-iodinated salt, 102 (26.2%) of the households were using iodinated salt. Cabbage usage was significantly associated with goiter. CONCLUSION: Endemic goiter is quite prevalent in the study area. Median urinary iodine value of the study samples was found to be far lower than standards. Quality of the salt used by the study population was found to be poor in its iodine content. The use of cabbage (goitrogen) has shown remarkable influence on the development of goiter. Therefore, awareness creation and distribution of iodized salt are highly recommended.