Kwale Kenya - A Study on Fracture Management by Traditional Bonesetters and its Effects to Clients in Lungalunga Constituency

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish fracture management by Traditional Bone Settings (TBS) and its outcome among the clients in Lungalunga constituency, Kwale County. Data collection was carried out in March 2019. The study was carried out among TBS and 30 people who had undergone treatment by TBS in the last two years. The study adopted a descriptive observational research design with aspects of both qualitative and a quantitative component. Sampling was done by “snow-balling”, whereby the village heads assisted in identifying the TBS and the people who have sought treatment from TBS. Structured interviews were used together with observational checklist filled by the investigators together with six research assistants who were trained on how to use the research tools. Muslims comprised of 93% of the respondents, 23% of the respondents had never gone to school, 50% of the respondents had steady income. The referral system of TBS practice is purely through friends and relatives and is not limited to seeking services of locally available TBS only, but also those from neighbouring countries like Tanzania. Four out of the five TBS in the study had practiced for more than 10 years. Some of the practitioners had acquired their knowledge through mainstream medicine while others learnt from their grandmothers and grandfathers. Besides practicing bone setting, farming, fishing, and treating other medical conditions were also practiced by TBS.