The role of traditional healers in tooth extractions in Lekie Division, Cameroon.
| Autor: | Agbor AM; Department of Community Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, Tygerberg, South Africa. agborasm@yahoo.com, Naidoo S, Mbia AM |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine [J Ethnobiol Ethnomed] 2011 May 30; Vol. 7, pp. 15. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 May 30. |
| DOI: | 10.1186/1746-4269-7-15 |
| Abstrakt: | Background: The extraction of the teeth by traditional healers in Cameroon is an established cultural practice in the central region of the Cameroon. Traditional healers (TH) use herbs and crude un-sterilized instruments and tools for the tooth extraction procedure. The present study investigates the knowledge and practices of traditional healers regarding tooth extraction and the management of its complications. Methods: A cross sectional design utilizing semi-structured questionnaires was used to collect the data from traditional healers and their patients. Results: Sixteen traditional healers (TH) were interviewed. All were male and the majority were between 25-35 years old. The most important reason given for the removal of a tooth was "if it has a hole". All reported using herbs to control bleeding and pain after extractions. Only 20% used gloves between patients when extracting a tooth and just over a third (31.3%) gave post-operative instructions. Eighty seven percent managed complications with herbs and 62.5% reported that they would refer their patients to a dentist whenever there are complications. Only a third (31.3%) was familiar with the basic anatomy of a tooth and more than half (56.3%) reported that tooth extractions are the only treatment for dental problems.One hundred and fifty patients were interviewed with a mean age of 29 years. More than two thirds were in the 21-30 year age group and just over half were male. Sixty six percent reported that they visited the TH because it is cheap, 93.3% were satisfied with the treatment they received while 95.3% reported said they never had a problem after an extraction. Conclusions: Tooth extractions using medicinal plants is well established in Lekie division, Cameroon. Infection control during extraction is not the norm. Traditional healers are willing to co-operate with oral health workers in improving the oral health of their patients. Mutual cooperation, collaboration and integrating TH into primary oral health care services need to be increased. (© 2011 Agbor et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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