OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Brazilian women in the climacterium who are affected by tetanus. METHODS: Data were collected from publications of DATASUS/Ministério da Saúde (Health Ministry) referring to hospital admissions (SIH) in hospitals of the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) (Official Health System) and accorded hospitals. The numbers of vaccinations administered were obtained at the National Program of immunizations. Data regarding the population was obtained at the Brazilian Geography and Statistics Institute (IBGE). RESULTS: Between January 2001 and July 2004, while for the male gender, with the passing of years there was reduction in the total number of admissions due to tetanus, for the female gender there was an increase. Frequency of the disease, for both genders aged from 35 to 64 years in the different regions of Brazil, disclosed that the there is a higher incidence in the Northeast, followed by the Southeast and South. Data for the year 2002 showed that in the age bracket from 50 to 59 years, only 15.73% of the people were adequately protected against tetanus. CONCLUSIONS: In the adult phase, healthy life depends on public health policies, in the sense of supplying appropriate prevention against the disease. In the case of tetanus, vaccination is an effective prevention.
Climacteric; Tetanus
