C Barjat1, R Charles, F Lucht, P Frappé. 1. Service universitaire de médecine générale, faculté de médecine Jacques-Lisfranc, 15, rue Ambroise-Paré, 42023 Saint-Étienne cedex 2, France. barjat.christophe@neuf.fr
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to assess how GPs manage the risk of tetanus in wounds, compared to the French Health Ministry guidelines on tetanus toxoid vaccination and immunoglobulin injections. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was made using an online questionnaire sent to 3,165 GPs in the French Rhône-Alpes region. RESULTS: The answer rate was 9.1%. Overall, 64.4% of GP complied to recommendations. The best observance was noted for minor risk wounds and for patients whose last booster vaccination was less than 5years old (P<0.05). Generally, GPs underused tetanus toxoid vaccination (-17.1%) and overused immunoglobulin injections (+37.1%). The main difficulties encountered were assessing the patient and his wound, misuse of immunoglobulin injections, and ignorance of recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The higher the tetanic risk, the less recommendations were observed. A quick diagnostic test and a better availability of new easier to memorize recommendations should help GPs optimize their practices.
OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to assess how GPs manage the risk of tetanus in wounds, compared to the French Health Ministry guidelines on tetanus toxoid vaccination and immunoglobulin injections. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was made using an online questionnaire sent to 3,165 GPs in the French Rhône-Alpes region. RESULTS: The answer rate was 9.1%. Overall, 64.4% of GP complied to recommendations. The best observance was noted for minor risk wounds and for patients whose last booster vaccination was less than 5years old (P<0.05). Generally, GPs underused tetanus toxoid vaccination (-17.1%) and overused immunoglobulin injections (+37.1%). The main difficulties encountered were assessing the patient and his wound, misuse of immunoglobulin injections, and ignorance of recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The higher the tetanic risk, the less recommendations were observed. A quick diagnostic test and a better availability of new easier to memorize recommendations should help GPs optimize their practices.