Introduction: In developing countries, many patients see traditional bonesetters (TBS) as the first choice for caring for bone injuries. Notwithstanding hospital bureaucracy and supposedly higher cost of care, some patients prefer accessing care from orthodox facilities. This study examined factors influencing patients’ patronage of hospital’s orthopaedic services.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study done over six months utilizing a structured questionnaire to obtain information on patients’ biodata, cause and nature of the injury, place of initial presentation, reasons for patronizing orthodox care, areas of dissatisfaction with orthodox care, outcome of treatment and suggestion on ways hospital could satisfy patients better. Univariate and bivariate data analysis were done with level of statistical significance set at p <0.05.
Results: The study had 102 patients: 65 males and 37 females, aged 19-95 years. Road traffic injury accounted for 76.5% of the injuries. Tibiofibular {29(28.4%)} and femoral {24(23.5%)} fractures occurred the most. Forty-six (45.1%) had presented elsewhere earlier; 92(90.2%) came to the hospital because they believed the hospital was better in bone treatment. Patients did not consider TBS because they believed hospital care was more standard, 63(61.8%), or to avoid complications, 17(16.7%). All would recommend orthodox bone care to others except one. Satisfactory outcomes were obtained in 88(86.3%), while patients who had visited TBS 17(16.7%) had the highest complications. Suggestions on how the hospital could serve patients better included improved attention to patients and reduced cost.
Conclusion: Patients access orthodox care for bone injury because they believe orthodox care is better, standard, and has fewer complications.