Quality of life of family caregivers of children with orofacial clefts in Nigeria: a mixed-method study

Background Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common birth defects that may impose a large burden on the health and psychosocioeconomic well‐being of affected individuals and families. This study aims to identify qualitative factors that affect the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of children wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oral diseases 2016-03, Vol.22 (2), p.116-122
Main Authors: Awoyale, T, Onajole, AT, Ogunnowo, BE, Adeyemo, WL, Wanyonyi, KL, Butali, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to Information - psychology
Adolescent
Adult
Birth defects
Caregivers
Caregivers - psychology
Cleft Lip - psychology
Cleft Palate - psychology
clefts
Communication
Empathy
Families & family life
family caregivers
Female
focus group discussion
Focus Groups
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Nigeria
Oral diseases
orofacial clefts
Professional-Family Relations
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:Background Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common birth defects that may impose a large burden on the health and psychosocioeconomic well‐being of affected individuals and families. This study aims to identify qualitative factors that affect the quality of life (QOL) of family caregivers of children with OFCs. Methods A mixed‐method study in which family caregivers of OFCs children were consecutively recruited from cleft clinics over a 3‐month period. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 and focus group discussion by framework analysis. Results A total of 107 caregivers participated in the entire study, and 24 caregivers participated in the focus group discussions. About 50% of the children had cleft lip and palate (CLP), 28% with cleft lips only (CL) and 23.4% with cleft palate only (CP). Poor access to specific information and lack of empathy of professionals affected the quality of life and delivery of family‐centered care. Conclusions To improve the quality of life of family caregivers, individual‐focused counseling sessions should be organized for caregivers soon after birth. This will provide an opportunity to discuss the laid out plans for supportive care. It will also be as an avenue to address the arising social issues by health professionals and counselors.
ISSN:1354-523X
1601-0825
DOI:10.1111/odi.12379