Abstract:
Cleft lip/plate is the most frequent type of facial and oral malformation in newborns,
leading to feeding, aesthetics, speech, hearing, and resonance impairments. Most
significant feeding or swallowing problems can result in further complications
including nutritional deficiencies and/or respiratory problems and are stressful to the
patient’s family or caregivers.
The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of mother regarding feeding
behavior among children after reconstructive cleft lip and palate surgery. This study
found out the knowledge about feeding behaviour of CLP children, understanding of
mothers about feeding techniques of CLP children and experiences and challenges of
mother regarding feeding behavior of CLP children after surgery. It was a qualitative
type of study that was conducted at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH)
and SIBL Foundation Hospital. A total of 9 participants were selected. The data was
collected through the semi-structured self-made questionnaire by the researcher from
the mothers of CLP children who had done reconstructive surgery. Content analysis
was used for this study analysis.
The findings show that mother showed mixed understandings about feeding behaviour
of CLP children. Most of the child's mothers reported that they were always trying to
feed their children in a position where the child could feed properly. Most of them
expressed that their children were still suffering a lot during feeding, even after the
surgery. All of the participants reported that they had to suffer a lot for their children,
such as a lot of time required to take proper care for their children, they couldn’t even
get time to take care for themselves. Even mothers didn’t have any detailed idea about
role of SLT in improving the feeding problem of CLP children.
Overall, the mothers were not fully aware of improving their children’s feeding
problem. Suggestions and active participation from the SLT will be necessary to
improve their understanding and knowledge about feeding their children, which can
improve the quality of their children's lives.
Keywords: Mother’s experiences, Feeding Behaviour, Cleft Lip and Palate.
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
