Publication
Title
A qualitative study of childrens quality of life in the context of living with cleft lip and palate
Author
Abstract
Background and objective: Quality-of-life measures have been expanded to help in assessing the physical and psychosocial effects of oral health. Although, in the case of children undergoing oral surgery, the oro-facial status is generally measured by studies, it is essential to carry out investigations into the level of quality of life (QoL) after surgery to assess the actual effect of these surgeries on childrens lives. Hence, our study is aimed at evaluating the QoL in these children. Methods: The study was performed using qualitative content analysis method. Eighteen caregivers of 46 year old children with a history of unilateral cleft lip and palate participated in in-depth interviews about the childrens experiences with different problems affecting their daily lives. The results were divided into codes, sub-categories and categories through an inductive process in which the researchers moved from the specific to the general. Result: A number of problems were identified, particularly insufficient functional and socio-emotional well-being including, difficulty in eating and speaking, dento-facial problems, shame, anxiety, insufficient peer interaction and dissatisfaction with their own appearance. Conclusion: The most critical problems derived from the participants experiences were insufficient functional and socio-emotional well-being that contributed to the reduced QoL among these children. Long term multidisciplinary interventional strategies such as psycho-social supportive programs are required to improve the QoL of these children. These interventions should be considered from the early stages of treatment, or even early stages of diagnosis.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics
Publication
2019
ISSN
1179-9927
DOI
10.2147/PHMT.S173070
Volume/pages
10 (2019) , p. 13-20
ISI
000455879400001
Pubmed ID
30697094
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 23.01.2019
Last edited 26.11.2024
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