EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCES AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES OF OROFACIAL CLEFT IN RURAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A QUALITATIVE
A O Taiwo1,2, U Lehmann3, V Scott3
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Sciences, College of Health Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine
|May 19, 2025
Summary
Orofacial cleft (OFC) significantly impacts families in rural Nigeria, particularly mothers, causing emotional and social distress. Addressing OFC requires urgent public health policy and support for affected family carers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- Orofacial cleft (OFC) is a common congenital facial malformation with significant psychosocial impact on families.
- Families, especially in rural sub-Saharan Africa, face challenges with extensive care and treatment needs for OFC.
- There is a need for qualitative data on the experiences of OFC family carers in rural northwest Nigeria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychosocial lived experiences of family carers of children with orofacial clefts.
- To understand the emotional and social challenges faced by families in northwest Nigeria.
- To identify the support systems available to carers of children with OFC.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving 22 participants from tertiary hospitals in northwest Nigeria (2017-2020).
- Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with family carers, predominantly mothers.
- Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze transcribed interview data.
Main Results:
- Participants were mainly from rural farming areas, with mothers constituting over 75% of the sample.
- Three major themes emerged: emotional experiences, social challenges, and support systems.
- Covert discrimination and negative stereotypes against children with OFC were identified.
Conclusions:
- Mothers experience the most significant emotional and social impact from orofacial clefts.
- Findings highlight the urgent need for targeted support and public health interventions for OFC families in rural Nigeria.
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