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Background <p>Traditional health practitioners remain a primary point of contact for healthcare in rural communities, especially during health emergencies, due to their accessibility, cultural alignment, and affordability. However, critical deficiencies in infection prevention and control practices, among these practitioners, significantly contribute to healthcare-associated infections, increasing morbidity and mortality. This paper aims to highlight hygiene and infection control protocols observed by medical students during their community medicine postings among traditional health practitioners in rural Nigeria.</p> Fieldwork context <p>Final-year medical students observed practices and informally interacted with traditional health practitioners (Traditional bone setters and Traditional birth attendants) during their field placements in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State.</p> Key observations <p>Medical students observed several infection control gaps among traditional health practitioners, including inadequate hand hygiene, unsterile instrumentation, poor waste disposal, and unsanitary conditions. Treatment procedures often lacked proper aseptic techniques, with limited access to antiseptic or disinfectants, and disposable equipment were frequently reused. Additionally, patient records were poorly maintained, and referral systems unclear.</p> Conclusion <p>Strategic collaboration initiated during medical training through community-based postings could be a viable pathway to improve hygiene and infection control practices among traditional health practitioners for better health outcomes.</p>

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Infection control gaps in rural Cross River State, Nigeria: medical students’ observational study of traditional health practitioners

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月13日

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  • Precious Miracle Wagwula,
  • Athanasius Christopher Ofem,
  • Racheal Abraham Umoh,
  • Rosette Chidera Oti-Ashong

摘要

Background

Traditional health practitioners remain a primary point of contact for healthcare in rural communities, especially during health emergencies, due to their accessibility, cultural alignment, and affordability. However, critical deficiencies in infection prevention and control practices, among these practitioners, significantly contribute to healthcare-associated infections, increasing morbidity and mortality. This paper aims to highlight hygiene and infection control protocols observed by medical students during their community medicine postings among traditional health practitioners in rural Nigeria.

Fieldwork context

Final-year medical students observed practices and informally interacted with traditional health practitioners (Traditional bone setters and Traditional birth attendants) during their field placements in Odukpani LGA, Cross River State.

Key observations

Medical students observed several infection control gaps among traditional health practitioners, including inadequate hand hygiene, unsterile instrumentation, poor waste disposal, and unsanitary conditions. Treatment procedures often lacked proper aseptic techniques, with limited access to antiseptic or disinfectants, and disposable equipment were frequently reused. Additionally, patient records were poorly maintained, and referral systems unclear.

Conclusion

Strategic collaboration initiated during medical training through community-based postings could be a viable pathway to improve hygiene and infection control practices among traditional health practitioners for better health outcomes.