Main Article Content
Attitude of cleft care specialists in Africa towards pre-surgical orthopaedics
Abstract
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-surgical orthopaedics 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.
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-surgical orthopaedics 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.
