Orofacial cleft outreach in rural Ghana: any positive impact on the community?

• Published in: European journal of plastic surgery Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 17 - 24
• Main Authors: Agbenorku, Pius, Agbenorku, Margaret, Klutsey, Ellen, Aboah, Ken, Agamah, Gospel, Amevor, Epiphania, Hoyte-Williams, Paa-Ekow, Abude, Fritz, Sefenu, Randy, Osei, Daniel, Kofitsey, Mary, Fiifi-Yankson, Papa Kwesi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-02-2015
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Paper; Plastic Surgery; Outreach services; Psychological effects; Community impact; Orofacial clefts; Stigmatization
• ISSN: 0930-343X; 1435-0130
• DOI: 10.1007/s00238-014-1025-6

Background
Orofacial clefts (OFC) are common congenital malformations in humans. They impact negatively on the life of the affected and often regarded as stigma in the society especially among the rural folks. The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively the cases managed by a Ghanaian indigenous plastic surgery outreach team and prospectively outline the social impacts on the lives of those treated and their communities.
Methods
The study reviewed the medical records of patients treated during OFC outreaches in rural Ghana from January 2003 to December 2012 (10 years). This involved visiting and interviewing patients and their parents/relatives, as well as the community leaders comprising chiefs, assemblymen, church leaders, etc., using structured pretested questionnaires within 5 days (September 1–5, 2013) in communities in southeast of Ghana.
Results
A total of 32 outreach services were handled over the 10-year period, treating 303 OFC patients (among other pathologies), comprising 175 (57.8 %) males and 128 (42.2 %) females. Out of the 303, 159 (52.5 %) were located and interviewed; also, 65 community/opinion leaders/relatives were interviewed. Sixty-one percent (61 % = 35 patients) of the females and 48 % (
n
 = 49) of the males got married after the surgery; 83 % (
n
 = 45) of the school-going-age patients continued and completed basic schools.
Conclusions
OFC outreaches help to restore the lives and dignity of cleft patients and their families improving their quality of life. Stigmatization and psychological effects on them were removed; they were well accepted in their societies and family gatherings.
Level of Evidence: Level III, risk-prognostic study.