ATTITUDE OF CLEFT CARE SPECIALISTS IN AFRICA TOWARDS PRESURGICAL ORTHOPAEDICS.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the attitude of cleft care specialists working in Africa towards pre-surgical orthopaedics.

DESIGN

A cross sectional study.

SETTING

Pan-African conference on cleft lip and palate in Nigeria.

SUBJECTS: Sixty cleft care specialists working in Africa.

RESULTS

The general attitude towards pre-surgicalorthopaedics was positive. Majority of the specialists employ pre-surgical orthopaedics before surgical repair. Fifty four (91%) of the specialists use plaster strapping for cases of bilateral cleft, five (8.3%) use nasoalveolar molding and one (2%) use feeding plate. Half of the specialists (50%) felt that pre-surgical orthopaedics is to be managed by orthodontists alone. There were significant difference in attitude towards pre-surgical orthopaedics between providers (p < 0.05). Orthodontists had a strong positive attitude towards pre-surgical orthopaedics than other specialists. Younger specialists had a more positive attitude towards pre-surgical orthopaedics than older specialists.

CONCLUSION

Cleft care specialists in Africa have a positive attitude towards pre-surgical orthopaedics. Majority of them use plaster strapping technique. Younger specialists have a more favorable attitude towards pre-surgical orthopaedics than older specialists.