Factors associated with the utilization of the services of traditional Bonesetters in Northern Region of Ghana
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Date
November, 2019
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Abstract
Since 1978, the WHO has been promoting cooperation between modern and
Traditional medicine. However traditional medicine as well as traditional bone setting
had received poor recognition in Ghana formal health system. In spite of this,
traditional bonesetters in the Northern region still enjoyed strong community influence,
popularity and a high degree of confidence and abound in almost every part of the
region. The main objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with the
utilization of the services of traditional bonesetters in Northern region of Ghana.
The study adopted mixed qualitative and quantitative method, with In-depth interviews
conducted to twenty- eight (28) traditional bone setters, (64) bonesetter clients and 3
Focus groups.
The main reasons included mostly cheaper fees, 66 (26.29%); cultural beliefs, 45
(17.93%) and others while 22 (34.3%) out of 64 of the clients preferred orthodox
treatment of bone injury and the main reasons cited included: the availability of X-ray
facility, 42 (27.27%); Proper pain management, 39 (25.32%).
Majority of TBS reported that their practice is family-based, and a gift from God
handed over from one generation to another within the family.
It is important for Health policy makers to consider training and retraining of TBS to
minimize poor outcome of fracture treatment and also encourage collaborative
understanding between orthodox practitioner and TBS in Ghana.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health (Mph) in health policy management and economics.
Keywords
Utilization, Northern Region