Tolgou Yempabe1, Anthony Edusei2, Peter Donkor3, Alexis Buunaaim1,4, Charles Mock5. 1. Department of Surgery, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Box 16, Tamale, Ghana. 2. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Kumasi, Ghana. 3. Department of Surgery, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Box 1939, Kumasi, Ghana. 4. Department of Surgery, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. 5. University of Washington, Box 359960, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: we sought to explore the knowledge and practices among traditional bonesetters (TBSs) in the Northern Region of Ghana and to assess opportunities for their engagement with the formal health sector. METHODS: we identified 28 TBSs widely distributed in the Northern Region. They were interviewed using qualitative and quantitative methods, regarding their background, training, current practices, opinions regarding orthodox care, and interests in future linkages with the formal health sector. RESULTS: most TBSs (67.9%) had no formal education and most (85.7%) learned their skills from older family members. Their treatments included reasonable versions of closed reduction and immobilization, but also use of locally-derived concoctions and spiritual aspects, such as incantations. Only 21.4% regularly referred complications to hospital. Nonetheless, all endorsed advantages to orthodox care, such as X-rays (100%), record keeping (100%), and pain management (85.7%). Almost all (96.4%) expressed an interest in training courses or other engagement with the formal health sector. Topics in which they were interested for training included record keeping (100%), pain management (85.7%), and management of open fractures and complications (82.1%). CONCLUSION: factors making linkage between TBSs and the formal health sector difficult included low levels of formal education, training through secretive in-family methods, and spiritual and mystical aspects of their practice that might make communications about modern medicine difficult. Nonetheless, most indicated interest in linking with modern care, especially through training courses. Topics they suggested for such courses provide a foundation to build on in future efforts to engage TBSs with the formal health sector. Copyright: Tolgou Yempabe et al.
INTRODUCTION: we sought to explore the knowledge and practices among traditional bonesetters (TBSs) in the Northern Region of Ghana and to assess opportunities for their engagement with the formal health sector. METHODS: we identified 28 TBSs widely distributed in the Northern Region. They were interviewed using qualitative and quantitative methods, regarding their background, training, current practices, opinions regarding orthodox care, and interests in future linkages with the formal health sector. RESULTS: most TBSs (67.9%) had no formal education and most (85.7%) learned their skills from older family members. Their treatments included reasonable versions of closed reduction and immobilization, but also use of locally-derived concoctions and spiritual aspects, such as incantations. Only 21.4% regularly referred complications to hospital. Nonetheless, all endorsed advantages to orthodox care, such as X-rays (100%), record keeping (100%), and pain management (85.7%). Almost all (96.4%) expressed an interest in training courses or other engagement with the formal health sector. Topics in which they were interested for training included record keeping (100%), pain management (85.7%), and management of open fractures and complications (82.1%). CONCLUSION: factors making linkage between TBSs and the formal health sector difficult included low levels of formal education, training through secretive in-family methods, and spiritual and mystical aspects of their practice that might make communications about modern medicine difficult. Nonetheless, most indicated interest in linking with modern care, especially through training courses. Topics they suggested for such courses provide a foundation to build on in future efforts to engage TBSs with the formal health sector. Copyright: Tolgou Yempabe et al.
Entities:
Keywords:
Africa; Ghana; Injury; traditional bonesetter
Authors: Mark A Brouillette; Scott P Kaiser; Peter Konadu; Raphael A Kumah-Ametepey; Alfred J Aidoo; Richard C Coughlin Journal: World J Surg Date: 2014-04 Impact factor: 3.352