Local Groups Focus on an International Public Health Project

Maternal and neonatal tetanus is a major public health concern in 48 countries around the world, mostly in Asia and Africa.  Although easily prevented with a simple vaccine, maternal and neonatal tetanus claims the lives of nearly 180,000 women and children each year. In brief, tetanus is caused by a neurotoxin that fatally infects the nervous system. The bacteria live in soil in nearly every country and enter its hosts by way of open injuries or wounds. Maternal and neonatal tetanus is caused by unsanitary methods of delivery, abortion, or umbilical cord care. In third-world countries, maternal and neonatal tetanus is common because of unsanitary conditions in which children are born.

Studies have shown that maternal and neonatal tetanus can be eliminated – not just reduced – through inoculation. In brief, administering a tetanus shot to pregnant mothers and children in third-world countries not only helps control tetanus – it banishes it!

So what does tetanus and Crawford County have in common? Certainly, we live in an area far removed from the threat of tetanus at this elevated level. But, Meadville and the surrounding area is really playing a key role in working with public health professionals around the world to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. In fact, several groups throughout our region desire to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus and have joined UNICEF and The World Health Organization in The Eliminate Project. This project focuses on getting the maternal and neonatal tetanus vaccinations to third world countries. So, who are the groups in our area helping out? They would be all our community Kiwanis Clubs.

Kiwanis International has committed its human and financial resources to work with WHO and UNICEF to deliver tetanus vaccinations to countries suffering from MNT (maternal and neonatal tetanus).  This requires reaching approximately 130 million women to protect them and their unborn babies from the disease.  Without treatment, one out of four people who are infected with the bacteria die. The death rate is much higher for newborns. Tetanus is an ugly disease, and its symptoms include powerful and painful muscle spasms and severe breathing difficulties along with excessive sweating and high fever. These types of symptoms are nearly unbearable for an adult, but for a child, they are impossible to overcome.

It is for this reason that Kiwanis Clubs around the world – including those in Crawford County – have joined forces to combat and eliminate this disease across the world. Kiwanis’ overall mission is about children.  The group’s motto is “Children: Priority One.” Thus, working to save the lives of children by eliminating the presence of a disease fits well with this group’s mission. The Kiwanis Club of Meadville as well as the Meadville Golden K Club has demonstrated full support of this project through financial gifts as well as helping to educate the community about The Eliminate Project. Other Crawford County Kiwanis Clubs have also joined the project. It is the desire of WHO, UNICEF and Kiwanis to rid the world of this disease in a few years.

For more information on The Eliminate Project, visit www.theeliminateproject.org and learn how our small town is assisting the public health world in a large way.

References

Roper, M. H., Vandelaer, J. H., & Gasse, F. L. (2007). Maternal and neonatal tetanus. The Lancet, 370, 1947-1959.

Saetre, J. C. (2011). Eliminate. Kiwanis eliminating maternal/neonatal tetanus. Kiwanis, 96, 1. 14-17.