Perception and utilization of traditional orthopaedic services by patients in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the relative availability of modern medical services in Nigerian urban cities, orthopaedic patients have continued to patronize Traditional orthopaedic practitioners (TOP) even in the midst of low recognition. This study focused on the persistent utilization of traditional orthopaedic services (TOS) by patients in Ilorin. Health belief model was adopted as theoretical basis for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were combined Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents from across the study area. Questionnaire was administered to a total of 357 patients, while In-depth Interview (IDI) was conducted with 7patients and 14 purposively selected TOP. Majority of the respondents aged between 21 and 60 years (73.1%) were males (74.5%) and had secondary and tertiary education (76.6%) which did not affect their perception of TOS. It was further revealed that incidence of orthopaedic cases was higher in urban and semi-urban areas where most of the respondents (80.2%) resided. Also, Patients also believed that the use of supernatural methods and materials gave traditional treatment higher efficacy than its modern counterpart without resulting in complications as had been argued by previous scholars. The study recommended that funding be increased, and capacity building be encouraged to equip traditional orthopaedic practitioners to fill the huge gap inherent in Nigeria's orthopaedic health care sub-sector.