Mother’s of Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate, Perception about Aetiology, Social Reaction and Treatment of Cleft

Abstract

Background: Religious, cultural beliefs and demographical differences can have a huge impact in shaping people's reactions and attitudes toward cleft children. Myths and folk beliefs frequently accompany the birth of a child with deformities especially in Africa. Objective: Evaluate cleft mothers with cleft children attending a multidisciplinary cleft clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital about their experiences on aetiology, expectation, family reaction and treatment of cleft lip and palate. Methodology: The study design was a cross-sectional study which involved consecutive mothers of cleft lip and palate children reporting to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Cleft clinic by using a structured questionnaire. The study period was from January to June 2013. Results: The highest recorded response (47.50%) from mothers was that their nuclear families had been supportive. The least recorded nuclear family reaction was indifferent to child's condition (3.70%). 47.50% of mothers reported their extended family members had been supportive whereas the least recorded reaction of extended family members (1.25%) was avoidant behaviour. 52 Mothers (65%) answered that they are not mocked by members of the society whereas 28 (35%) answered they were mocked. Conclusion: The above study demonstrates that mother's educational background was low. Some mothers still believe CL/P is caused by evil spirit even though they are in the minority. Most mothers were hopeful that their babies will have a normal life after surgery. There was high level of family support for cleft families.

Psychosocial Maternal Perception of the Outcome of Pre Surgical Infant Orthopedics in Infants Born with Cleft Lip and Palate

“…The location of the orofacial cleft can be a great cause of distress to the parents of the affected child who may feel uncomfortable in getting the child out in public 4 . In certain cases, such stigmatization of the condition result in an avoidant attitude of the families that may lead to compromise in the adequate care of the newborn and the mother post partum 5 . There has been a plethora of studies assessing the psychosocial status of the individuals with cleft lip and palate 6,7 but a few have focused on the mental status of the parents of such children.…”