Caregivers’ Role in Caring for Children with Cleft Lip-Palate in Mobile Speech Camp

Clefts lip and palate (CLP) are among the common orofacial congenital malformations. The treatment needs long-term multidisciplinary team approach. CLP impact both children’s physical and psychological aspects as well as caregivers’ burden. Children with CLP face challenges such as abnormal facial configuration, swallowing disorders, speech and language defects, hearing problems and dental abnormalities. Parents or caregivers play an important role in caring.

To examine caregivers’ role in caring for children with CLP who visited a mobile speech unit in Chiang Kham Hospital, Phayao, Thailand.

This study was qualitative research. Caregivers of the children with CLP, who attended mobile speech camp at Chiang Kham Hospital, Phayao were recruited. Data were collected using Tawanchai Quality of Life, Thai Cleft Quality of Life Questionnaire for children with CLP and in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Leonard Method.

The majority (77.80 %) of the CLP children were cared by their mothers. Most caregivers of the children with CLP were depended on agriculture income. Their major concerns for caring the child with cleft lip and palate were a search for: 1) Treatment (70.40%): the most common information that caregivers needed was treatment; 2) Development stimulation (70.20%), especially speech and language therapy; and 3) General care (52.60%): prevention of infection; lower respiratory infection and otitis media, as well as providing effective oral intake and sucking and good nutrition, respectively.

Mothers had a major role for caring the children with CLP. The most concern for caring was searching for treatment, followed by development stimulation, particularly speech services. The information was useful for treatment planning and providing counseling for new caregivers.