Owotade F J, Ogundipe O K, Ugboko V I, Okoje V N, Olasoji H O, Makinde O N, Orji E O
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Niger J Clin Pract. 2014 Jan-Feb;17(1):6-9. doi: 10.4103/1119-3077.122822.
Adequate knowledge and awareness of cleft lip and palate (CLP) deformity may help to counter the negative beliefs and attitudes toward the condition. The objective of this study was to assess the level of awareness, knowledge and attitude of women attending antenatal clinics about CLP.
A cross-sectional descriptive study with the aid of a structured interview administered questionnaire was conducted among 200 women attending antenatal clinics in three Federal Government Teaching Hospitals in the Northern and Southwestern regions of Nigeria. The main outcome measure was the level of awareness and the mean cumulative knowledge score.
The mean age of the subjects was 28.9 ± 5.1 years (age range: 16-42 years). Half of the women (50.5%) reported that they had seen or heard about CLP. The mean cumulative knowledge score was 6.9, with only 19.8% having adequate knowledge. Many respondents had neither read an article on CLP nor participated in any public enlightenment program, and 31.5% indicated that they would like to know more about the condition. Level of educational attainment had a statistically significant effect on the level of awareness and knowledge on CLP, as more educated respondents tend to be more aware and knowledgeable ( P < 0.001).
There is need for increased public enlightenment/health education to increase awareness and subsequently help develop more positive attitudes toward children with CLP. Such programs should include distribution of pamphlets on CLP at clinics, especially antenatal clinics, media campaigns on radio, TV and newspaper as well as establishment of cleft support groups by the relevant governmental and professional organizations.
对唇腭裂（CLP）畸形有足够的了解和认识，可能有助于消除对该病症的负面看法和态度。本研究的目的是评估在产前诊所就诊的女性对CLP的认知水平、知识掌握情况和态度。
在尼日利亚北部和西南部地区的三家联邦政府教学医院，对200名在产前诊所就诊的女性进行了一项借助结构化访谈问卷的横断面描述性研究。主要观察指标是认知水平和平均累积知识得分。
受试者的平均年龄为28.9±5.1岁（年龄范围：16 - 42岁）。一半的女性（50.5%）报告称她们见过或听说过CLP。平均累积知识得分为6.9分，只有19.8%的人有足够的知识。许多受访者既没有读过关于CLP的文章，也没有参加过任何公众宣传项目，31.5%的人表示她们想更多地了解这种病症。受教育程度对CLP的认知水平和知识掌握情况有统计学上的显著影响，因为受教育程度较高的受访者往往认知更多且知识更丰富（P < 0.001）。
需要加强公众宣传/健康教育，以提高认知度，并随后帮助培养对唇腭裂患儿更积极的态度。此类项目应包括在诊所，尤其是产前诊所发放关于CLP的宣传册，通过广播、电视和报纸进行媒体宣传，以及由相关政府和专业组织建立腭裂支持小组。
