{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T12:25:04Z","timestamp":1787574304828,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":23,"publisher":"Ubiquity Press, Ltd.","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787529600000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["89"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Introduction: In Cameroon, there are not enough formal care (FC) providers to treat the high volume of injured patients. Traditional bone setters (TBS) offer widely patronized alternatives for injury treatment; however, the integration of TBS into the healthcare system remains limited. Collaboration between TBS and FC providers could expand the reach and effectiveness of injury care. We explore perceptions of Cameroonian TBS and FC providers regarding injury care and willingness to collaborate.\nMethodology: We used snowball sampling to survey TBS and FC providers in two regions of Cameroon. Structured questionnaires were used to assess FC and TBS providers\u2019 beliefs regarding potential collaboration. Categorical variables were analyzed with the chi\u2011squared test while Likert scale responses were analyzed with the Kruskal\u2011Wallis test.\nResults: We surveyed 120 providers (n=58 TBS, n=62 FC). TBS providers were significantly older (TBS median age 51, IQR 39\u201160 years vs. FC 34, IQR 30\u201136 years; P&lt;0.001), greater percentage male (TBS 72.4% vs. FC 51.6%, P=0.019), and had more years of practice experience (TBS median 20, IQR 11\u201128 years vs. FC 5, IQR 3\u20118 years; P&lt;0.001). While the majority of TBS (93%) and FC providers (77%) indicated willingness to collaborate, they disagreed regarding specific roles. Though the TBS providers believed they could conduct post\u2011operative follow\u2011up care, FC providers disagreed (TBS median response \u201cAgree\u201d vs. FC \u201cDisagree,\u201d P&lt;0.001). FC providers also did not believe TBS could provide appropriate injury care triage (TBS \u201cAgree\u201d vs. FC \u201cNeutral,\u201d P&lt;0.001). TBS and FC providers agreed that TBS could rehabilitate injured patients, although TBS agreed more strongly (P&lt;0.001).\nConclusions: The study demonstrates the willingness of both FC and TBS providers in Cameroon to collaborate in injury care, particularly in rehabilitation services. However, the cohorts disagree regarding the specific roles of TBS providers in injury triage and post\u2011operative follow\u2011up care.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.5334\/aogh.5125","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T11:50:52Z","timestamp":1787572252000},"page":"82","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Perceptions of Collaboration between Traditional Bone Setters and Formal Care Providers in Cameroon: Bridging Gaps in Injury Care"],"prefix":"10.5334","volume":"92","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-5835-194X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Arole Darwin","family":"Touko","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6277-7729","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mark T.","family":"Yost","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Basile","family":"Ngassa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sithombo","family":"Maqungo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Serge","family":"Ngekeng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Kudzai","family":"Chironga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Aminou Sadjo","family":"Salihou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Beme Saouwada","family":"Apollinaire","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Christelle","family":"Maffo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Tonny","family":"Orach","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rasheedat","family":"Oke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Liza","family":"Rosenbloom","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Catherine","family":"Juillard","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alain","family":"Chichom-Mefire","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"3285","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gosselin RA, Spiegel DA, Coughlin R, Zirkle LG. Injuries: The neglected burden in developing countries. Bull World Health Organ. 2009;87:246. doi:10.2471\/BLT.08.052290.","DOI":"10.2471\/BLT.08.052290"},{"key":"2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chichom\u2011Mefire A, Mbarga\u2011Essim NT, Monono ME, Ngowe MN. Compliance of district hospitals in the center region of cameroon with who\/iatsic guidelines for the care of the injured: A cross\u2011sectional analysis. World J Surg. 2014;38(10):2525\u20132533. doi:10.1007\/s00268-014-2609-9.","DOI":"10.1007\/s00268-014-2609-9"},{"key":"3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Robyn PJ, Shroff Z, Zang OR, et al. Addressing health workforce distribution concerns: A discrete choice experiment to develop rural retention strategies in Cameroon. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2015;4(3):169\u2013180. doi:10.15171\/ijhpm.2015.27.","DOI":"10.15171\/ijhpm.2015.27"},{"key":"4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kwame A. Integrating traditional medicine and healing into the ghanaian mainstream health system: voices from within. Qual Health Res. 2021;31(10):1847\u20131860. doi:10.1177\/10497323211008849.","DOI":"10.1177\/10497323211008849"},{"key":"5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Byrne A, Morgan A. How the integration of traditional birth attendants with formal health systems can increase skilled birth attendance. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011;115(2):127\u2013134. doi:10.1016\/j.ijgo.2011.06.019.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijgo.2011.06.019"},{"key":"6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fokunang C, Ndikum V, Tabi O, et al. Traditional medicine: Past, present and future research and development prospects and integration in the national health system of cameroon. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(3):284\u2013295.","DOI":"10.4314\/ajtcam.v8i3.65276"},{"key":"7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ofiaeli RO. Complications of methods of fracture treatment used by traditional healers: A report of three cases necessitating amputation at ihiala, nigeria. Trop Doct. 1991;21(4):182\u2013183. doi:10.1177\/004947559102100419.","DOI":"10.1177\/004947559102100419"},{"key":"8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alegbeleye BJ. Traditional medical practice: An appraisal of the experience in cameroon. Int J Healthc Sci. 2020;7(2):49\u201362.","DOI":"10.5455\/im.57134"},{"key":"9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Addis G, Abebe D, Genebo T, Urga K. Perceptions and practices of modern and traditional health practitioners about traditional medicine in Shirka district, Arsi zone, Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Dev. 2002;16(1):19\u201323. doi:10.4314\/ejhd.v16i1.9823.","DOI":"10.4314\/ejhd.v16i1.9823"},{"key":"10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dickson DC, Christie SA, Chichom Mefire A, et al. A qualitative study of transitions between health care settings after injury in Cameroon. J Surg Res. 2019;244:528\u2013539. doi:10.1016\/j.jss.2019.06.098.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jss.2019.06.098"},{"key":"11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Courtright P. Eye care knowledge and practices among Malawian traditional healers and the development of collaborative blindness prevention programmes. Soc Sci Med. 1995;41(11):1569\u20131575. doi:10.1016\/0277-9536(95)00028-6.","DOI":"10.1016\/0277-9536(95)00028-6"},{"key":"12","unstructured":"Regional Committee for Africa, 66. Progress report on the implementation of the regional strategy on enhancing the role of traditional medicine in health systems (2013\u20132023): Information document. Published online 2016. https:\/\/www.afro.who.int\/sites\/default\/files\/2017-07\/afr-rc66-inf-doc-6-en-2109.pdf."},{"key":"13","unstructured":"Republic of Cameroon. Loi N\u00b02024\/018 au 23 de D\u00e9cembre Portant Exercice et Organisation de la Medecine Traditionnelle au Cameroun. 2024."},{"key":"14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tchuenkam LW, Ndame EK, Guifo ML, Danwang C, Kalla GC, Essomba A. An unusual complication of the traditional treatment of a closed fracture \u2013 generalized tetanus: A case report. J Med Case Reports. 2017;11(1):298. doi:10.1186\/s13256-017-1477-y.","DOI":"10.1186\/s13256-017-1477-y"},{"key":"15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alegbeleye BJ. Traditional bonesetting practices in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. East Cent Afr J Surg. 2019;24(1):47\u201360. doi:10.4314\/ecajs.v24i1.8.","DOI":"10.4314\/ecajs.v24i1.8"},{"key":"16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Card EB, Obayemi JE, Shirima O, et al. Practices and Perspectives of Traditional Bone Setters in Northern Tanzania. Ann Glob Health. 2020;86(1):61. doi:10.5334\/aogh.2878.","DOI":"10.5334\/aogh.2878"},{"key":"17","unstructured":"Human Rights Watch. Cameroon: Events of 2023. In: World Report 2024. 2023. https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/world-report\/2024\/country-chapters\/cameroon."},{"key":"18","unstructured":"StataCorp. Stata Statistical Software: Release 16. Published online 2019."},{"key":"19","unstructured":"Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Excel. Published online 2023. https:\/\/office.microsoft.com\/excel."},{"key":"20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Onyemaechi NO, Menson WNA, Goodman X, et al. Complications of traditional bonesetting in contemporary fracture care in low\u2011 and middle\u2011income countries: A systematic review. Trop Med Int Health. 2021;26(11):1367\u20131377. doi:10.1111\/tmi.13662.","DOI":"10.1111\/tmi.13662"},{"key":"21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Afungchwi GM, Hesseling PB, Ladas EJ. The role of traditional healers in the diagnosis and management of Burkitt lymphoma in Cameroon: Understanding the challenges and moving forward. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):209. doi:10.1186\/s12906-017-1719-y.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12906-017-1719-y"},{"key":"22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Onyemaechi NO, Itanyi IU, Ossai PO, Ezeanolue EE. Can traditional bonesetters become trained technicians? Feasibility study among a cohort of Nigerian traditional bonesetters. Hum Resour Health. 2020;18(1):24. doi:10.1186\/s12960-020-00468-w.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12960-020-00468-w"},{"key":"23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Labhardt ND, Aboa SM, Manga E, Bensing JM, Langewitz W. Bridging the gap: How traditional healers interact with their patients. A comparative study in Cameroon. Trop Med Int Health. 2010;15(9):1099\u20131108. doi:10.1111\/j.1365-3156.2010.02575.x.","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-3156.2010.02575.x"}],"container-title":["Annals of Global Health"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/annalsofglobalhealth.org\/articles\/5125\/files\/6a8c2e29df197.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/annalsofglobalhealth.org\/articles\/5125\/files\/6a8c2e491e09f.xml","content-type":"text\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/annalsofglobalhealth.org\/articles\/5125\/files\/6a8c2e29df197.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T11:50:56Z","timestamp":1787572256000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/annalsofglobalhealth.org\/articles\/10.5334\/aogh.5125"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"references-count":23,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,2]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5334\/aogh.5125","relation":{},"ISSN":["2214-9996"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2214-9996","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]}}}