Awareness of Orofacial Clefts in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

Introduction: Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is the most common craniofacial anomaly. In Oman, the incidence of CL/P is estimated to be 1.5 per 1000 live births per year. Knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward CL/P help to optimize the management of the condition and reduce social and emotional stress among this group of children and their family. In this survey, we assessed the public awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward this deformity in the Sultanate of Oman. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using validated questionnaire that was distributed using Google forms. Result: A total of 739 participants completed the survey. The majority is aware of cleft lip (86.7%) and palate (63.2%). In general, attitude toward patients with CL/P was positive. Females had higher knowledge compared to males, 54.4% and 32.9%, respectively. Online resources were the main source of information. Conclusion: There are variations in knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward CL/P among participants. Omani population needs to be educated more about CL/P, its complications if not treated, and the available treatment.

Questionnaire survey on public awareness of cleft lip with/without palate in Mongolia

“…In this study, 13% of the participants answered, “I don't know.” This indicates that Mongolians are aware of the condition. Investigating the background of the participants, no significant age differences were observed between the participants in this study and those in other studies regarding awareness of CL/P 11–14 . In Japan and Mongolia, individuals with higher education exhibited greater knowledge and awareness about CL/P 12 .…”

“…11,12 Additionally, in Oman, 13.3% and 36.8% of participants had not heard of cleft lip and cleft palate, respectively, and in Nigeria, 36.6% of participants said they did not know about CL/P. 13,14 In this study, 13% of the participants answered, "I don't know. "…”

“…In Japan and Mongolia, individuals with higher education exhibited greater knowledge and awareness about CL/P 12 . However, no notable variations in the educational background were found among participants in Oman, Nigeria, and Australia 11,13,14 . Notably, only in Mongolia, did female participants have significantly more knowledge about CL/P than male participants (Table 1).…”

“…In Australia, almost 30% of the population is unaware of CL/P, while in another study in Japan, 1.3% of participants answered that they did not know about CL/P 11,12 . Additionally, in Oman, 13.3% and 36.8% of participants had not heard of cleft lip and cleft palate, respectively, and in Nigeria, 36.6% of participants said they did not know about CL/P 13,14 …”

Knowledge and Awareness of Individuals in Türkiye about Cleft Lip and Palate

“…The presence of CL/P creates significant physical and psychological burdens for the affected child, their family, the society and the health system (11). Nutritional problems in individuals born with CL/P can be eliminated with passive feeding plates, and it is also possible to extend the columella and bringing the cleft segments closer together by adding active regulators to these plates in order to improve facial aesthetics (7).…”