Traditional Bone-Setters and Fracture Care in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Owoseni Joseph Sina

doi:10.4172/2327-5162.1000182

Abstract

In Nigeria, the practice of traditional bone setting (TBS) is extensive as in other developing nations. Traditional bonesetters play an imperative role in fracture care. Though, the outcome of the intervention of TBS treatment is usually poor with profound effects on the patient in the future. This study seeks to examine the activities of traditional bone setters on fracture care in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Survey method was applied in the study. 250 questionnaires were administered to owners of traditional bone centres and their clients respectively. Ten (10) of such centres were selected for the study in Ekiti. The findings indicated that majority of the bone setters had little or no formal education. Many of them acquired the schema used through ancestral/supernatural power. The TBS lack basic knowledge of investigations and wound care while most of their clients patronized them because of poverty, ignorance and superstitious beliefs. Provision of adequate basic equipment in health institutions may reduce the rate at which people utilize Traditional bone centres against medical advice.

Highlights

In Nigeria, with high level of accidents recorded every day, the traditional care givers still remain popular despite the high level of education and the existence of modern health care facilities [1]
We found that the decision of seeking treatment at Traditional Bone setting (TBS) in 68.1% of clients is non-selfdecision; this closely agrees with Solagberu and Dada et al, where they found that the initial idea of visiting TBS was from an external person in 75% and 25 of cases respectively [10,11]
In view of the societal confidence, which the TBS enjoy in Nigeria, it is important that efforts be made at regulating their practice including the establishment of a sound referral system and adoption of a standard training curriculum

Summary

Introduction

In Nigeria, with high level of accidents recorded every day, the traditional care givers still remain popular despite the high level of education and the existence of modern health care facilities [1]. Traditional healers and bonesetters were practicing long before orthodox medicine was introduced to the developing world Hoff, 1997. Both orthodox and traditional medicines are coexisting side by side and both are patronized by patients [2]. In Nigeria, the traditional bone setters enjoy more confidence and patronage from people than any other group of traditional care-givers [3]. Traditional bone setting is an old practice found almost in all communities of Nigeria especially in the rural communities of Ekiti State. Traditional Bone setting (TBS) is popular in Africa because its practitioners lay claims to supernatural influences [5]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion