Administration and evaluation of rural health services. I. A tetanus control program in Haiti
Berggren, W.L.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 23(5): 936-949
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 4217569 Document Number: 70487
A rural hospital in Haiti -- the Albert Schweitzer Hospital of Deschapelles -- initiated an energetic preventive program to deal with the public health problem of tetanus. The program was successful in controlling the problem only after immunization services were made easily available to the entire population served by the hospital. The program offered services in the market places and villages of the region. Several new categories of auxiliary personnel were recruited locally and trained on the job. The program incorporated preparatory publicity, timing, handling of large crowds in open surroundings, education, record keeping, follow-up and evaluation and the technical administration of the injections. The program was responsible for a marked reduction in the number of admissions to the hospital for the treatment of tetanus.