Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về y học được đăng trên tạp chí y học Wertheim cung cấp cho các bạn kiến thức về ngành y đề tài: Knowledge and practice of traditional healers in oral health in the Bui Division, Cameroon. | Agbor and Naidoo Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2011 7 6 http content 7 1 6 7k JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY 5R And ethnomedicine RESEARCH Open Access Knowledge and practice of traditional healers in oral health in the Bui Division Cameroon Ashu M Agbor Sudeshni Naidoo Abstract Background The majority of Cameroonians depend on traditional medicines for their health care needs and about seven per cent of the average household health budget is spent on traditional medicines irrespective of their incomes. The aim of the present study was to determine the oral care knowledge and practices of Traditional Healers TH on oral health delivery in the urban and rural areas of Bui Division of Cameroon and the objectives to determine the cost of treatment and reasons why people visit TH. Methods The present study was cross sectional and utilized semi-structured questionnaires to collect data. Results The sample consisted of 21 TH and 52 clients of TH. Sixty two percent of the TH s were above 40 years and 90 male. The mean age was 46 years range 20-77 years . Twenty four percent of the TH practiced as herbalists and the remainder both divination and herbalism. Sixty seven percent of people in the Bui Division who patronize TH for their oral health needs fall within the 20-40 year age group. There is little collaboration between the oral health workers and TH and only 6 of all patients seen by TH are referred to the dentist. Socio-cultural and economic factors affect the oral health care seeking behavior of patients in this area and only of patients visit dental clinics. Reasons for not attending dental clinics included high cost poor accessibility superstition and fear. TH s are not experienced in the treatment of pulpitis - the majority of patients who presented with toothache had temporary or no relief but despite this 67 reported being satisfied with their treatment. Sixty nine percent of the patients visited TH because of low cost - the average .
