Satisfaction of speech and treatment for children with cleft lip/palate in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment and speech therapy for people with cleft lip and palate (CLP) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) are either limited or not available in some areas. There continue to be patients needing surgical correction for abnormalities but they are past the age when surgery would be appropriate. Moreover, they have not been given speech services or received integrative multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To explore satisfaction on speech and treatment outcomes, as well as the further treatment needs for CLP in Lao PDR.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A literature review was undertaken and a background conducted on the problems of services for CLP in Lao PDR. A questionnaire was then developed to explore the magnitude of effects on speech and treatment outcomes as well as further treatment needs for CLP.

RESULTS

Average scoring of children with CLP speech and configuration indicated that they have the least satisfaction with articulation and figure of lips. The majority of caregivers and patients agreed that correction of articulation defects was the aspect of their care most needing further treatment.

CONCLUSION

Satisfaction with speech and treatment outcomes was critical issues in Lao PDR requiring development of an appropriate therapy model for children with CLP.