Study of care for patients with cleft lip/palate (CLP) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic: health provider's perspective.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the present study included learning basic information on the problems among, and problem-solving for, the persons caring for patients with cleft lip/palate (CLP) in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR).

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study done by completing a questionnaire during an interview. The sample group comprised physicians, anesthetists, nurses and public health officers a total of 34 persons from eight hospitals who attended a workshop at the Khammouan Hospital (October 16-20, 2010). The questionnaires were approved by 5 assessors and had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89. General demographic information was collected as well as knowledge and understanding vis-a-vis the care of pediatric patients with CLP at Khammouan Hospital, in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR).

RESULTS

Twenty of the public health officers surveyed were females. The average age of the officers was approximately 40 years. Sixteen of the officers were nurses from Khammouan Hospital. The survey of public health officers' taking care of patients with CLP revealed that (a) 19 were trained at Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand (b) 23 had experience in caring for patients with CLP (c) 17 had a medical specialist at the center (d) 4 had sufficient officers at the center and (e) 13 had a good understanding of a multidisciplinary team approach to the care of patients with CLP while the majority (21) had either a poor understanding (13) or none at all (8). The survey of medical personnel's understanding in regard to the care of patients with CLP was moderate (x = 3.08, SD = 0.99).

CONCLUSION

The problems of taking care of patients with CLP include lack of personnel (specifically professors to teach) knowledge, medical equipment and financial support. The solution lies in help from the government and overseas organizations for in- and out-bound training and grants.