An Investigation into the Health Seeking Behaviour and Management of Paediatric Fractures in Ghana
Research overview
It may be challenging to do away with the traditional bone setting in Ghana. Meanwhile, it may be easy to stop some of the harmful practices by bringing the traditional bonesetters together for basic education and regulation. There may be ways that both the health system and the bonesetters can mutually benefit from each other. Thus, the bonesetters benefiting from basic tools and knowledge of orthopaedic surgeon. Training of more professionals in the area of Orthopaedics and Traumatology and sufficient basic tooling of health institutions may avert the situation of patients leaving the hospital to the traditional bone setters against medical advice.
Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the community and health care system factors that influence healthcare-seeking behaviours and management of paediatric fractures in Ghana. As part of the project activities, stakeholder engagement between bonesetters, health workers and the research team were held as well as community surveys.
Key Findings and Policy Implications of the research
The study suggests that common childhood injuries are cuts and fractures due to falls. There is no information on fractures in the media channels available to study participants. Although most fracture patients contact the health facility, there is the perception that bonesetters treat fractures better. This is because the costs of treating fractures are incredibly high in the hospital while payment at the bonesetters can be made by instalment. Some of the practices at the health facility are confusing to community members.
