Knowledge and Attitude towards Cleft Lip and Palate and associated factors among Patients visiting Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cleft lip and palate is one of the most heterogeneous orofacial malformations. It is a major public health burden worldwide causing difficulty of eating, speaking, abnormalities in teeth and mouth development, ear irritation, and social and mental developmental disorders. Therefore, the study aimed at determining level of knowledge, attitude towards cleft lip and palate disorder and its associated factors. Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted from January 29, 2024 - February 29, 2024 on a total of 422 patients. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epidata version 4.4.6 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Descriptive statistics were used to compute summary statistics and proportion. Variables at a cut-off value of 0.25 on bivariable analysis were candidates for multivariable analysis and in the multivariable binary logistic regression p-values of 0.05 or lower was considered significant.. Result: The overall levels of knowledge, and attitude related to CLP were 22.0%, 95% CI (18.2-26.3), and 79.4%, 95% CI (75.4-82.9) respectively. Being agree with the statement CLP occurred due to pregnant women going out during an eclipse [AOR=7.8, 95% CI (2.27-26.88)], primary level of education [AOR=4.7, 95%CI (1.28-17.34)], secondary level of education [AOR=6.9, 95%CI (1.95-25.09)], and higher education level [AOR=12.5, 95% CI (3.46-45.23)] were factors associated with increased knowledge of CLP. Factors such as secondary education [AOR: 4.06, 95%CI (1.85-8.92)], higher education [AOR: 2.78, 95%CI (1.17-6.59)], being government employee [AOR=3.176; 95% CI (1.314-7.676)], and being a merchant [AOR=2.802; 95% CI (1.282-6.122)] were associated with positive attitudes towards CLP. Conclusion and recommendation: Majority of the patients had positive attitude and lacked sufficient knowledge regarding CLP anomalies. Education, occupation, and agreeing with statement CLP occurred if pregnant women going out during an eclipse were factors associated with knowledge and attitude. Therefore, strengthening health education to increase awareness can subsequently help to increase knowledge and develop more positive attitudes Keywords: Attitude, Knowledge, cleft lip, cleft palate