Abstract
In Nigeria, the traditional bone setters, perhaps more than any other group of traditional health provider enjoy high patronage and confidence by the society. 5,6 Indeed, the patrons of this service cut across every strata of the society including the educated and the rich. 5-7 The origin of the practice is shrouded in mystery but passed on by practitioners from one generation to another 8-10 . Methods: Bivariate analysis was used with the aid of SPSS Version 16 and Epi-info version 6; respondents were described by their socio-demographic characteristics, a comparison of intervention and control group were checked with the chi-square analysis at base line to determine the differences in their knowledge and practice of Traditional bone setters on traditional bone setting. It was also carried out at post-intervention period (6 months after intervention) to determine the effect of training of traditional bone setters on the uptake of X-ray services, modern orthopedic practices, POP, anti-tetanus injections, antibiotics and insecticide treated nets. Results: The general knowledge of bone setting by the respondents improved after training, except in the need to provide the in-patients with ITNs which recorded no change. After the training, all the traditional bone setters knew the importance of having nurses and other paramedical staff in their clinics (p = 0.000). The signs and symptoms of wound and tetanus infection did not change after training. However, the need for sterilization of instruments and hygienic dressing improved significantly after training (p = 0.000). Equally, the knowledge of the need for POP improved significantly (p = 0.005). Interestingly, the acknowledgement that continual adjustment of splitting could lead to mal-union or non-union improved statistically after training (p = 0.000). The practice of bone setting by TBSs in the study group after training statistically improved. The acceptance of training of other people in the clinics and use of antibiotics/anti-tetanus toxoid were statistically significant after training of the TBS in the study group. Interestingly, the referral of patients with serious fracture to orthopedic surgeons for better management improved significantly after training (p = 0.039). Conclusion: From the study, there were remarkable improvements in the management of bone fracture by TBSs after training. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of TBSs improved significantly after training on basic orthopedic practices. There was also an improvement on prompt referral of serious fractures to orthopedic surgeons for better management. Keywords: ITN; Traditional Bone Setting; TBS; ITN; Orthopaedic surgeons DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/58-08
Highlights
As obtainable in Nigeria and other parts of the developing world, traditional medicine practitioners have been in existence before the advent of orthodox medicine, traditional medicine was the only available form of healthcare.1-4 Presently both orthodox and traditional medicine coexist side by side and patronized by partients.1-4In Nigeria, the traditional bone setters, perhaps more than any other group of traditional health provider enjoy high patronage and confidence by the society.5,6 the patrons of this service cut across every strata of the society including the educated and the rich.5-7 The origin of the practice is shrouded in mystery but passed on by practitioners from one generation to another8-10
One of the most important flaws of the practice of traditional bone setters(TBS) presently in Nigeria is the process of training and acquiring skills in bone setting, which is not formal, undocumented and uncontrolled with attendant continuous decline in imparted knowledge and hoarding of information
Data Analysis Bivariate analysis was used with the aid of SPSS Version 16 and Epi-info version 6; respondents were described by their socio-demographic characteristics, a comparison of intervention and control group were checked with the chi-square analysis at base line to determine the differences in their knowledge and practice of Traditional bone setters on traditional bone setting
Summary
As obtainable in Nigeria and other parts of the developing world, traditional medicine practitioners have been in existence before the advent of orthodox medicine, traditional medicine was the only available form of healthcare. Presently both orthodox and traditional medicine coexist side by side and patronized by partients.1-4In Nigeria, the traditional bone setters, perhaps more than any other group of traditional health provider enjoy high patronage and confidence by the society. the patrons of this service cut across every strata of the society including the educated and the rich. The origin of the practice is shrouded in mystery but passed on by practitioners from one generation to another. As obtainable in Nigeria and other parts of the developing world, traditional medicine practitioners have been in existence before the advent of orthodox medicine, traditional medicine was the only available form of healthcare.. As obtainable in Nigeria and other parts of the developing world, traditional medicine practitioners have been in existence before the advent of orthodox medicine, traditional medicine was the only available form of healthcare.1-4 Both orthodox and traditional medicine coexist side by side and patronized by partients.. The origin of the practice is shrouded in mystery but passed on by practitioners from one generation to another. The origin of the practice is shrouded in mystery but passed on by practitioners from one generation to another8-10 The practitioners keep it as a family secret.. The practitioners keep it as a family secret. One of the most important flaws of the practice of traditional bone setters(TBS) presently in Nigeria is the process of training and acquiring skills in bone setting, which is not formal, undocumented and uncontrolled with attendant continuous decline in imparted knowledge and hoarding of information.
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