title: Satisfaction of speech and treatment for children with cleft lip/palate in Lao People's Democratic Republic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical treatment and speech therapy for people with cleft lip and palate (CLP) in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) are either limited or not available in some areas. There continue to be patients needing surgical correction for abnormalities but they are past the age when surgery would be appropriate. Moreover, they have not been given speech services or received integrative multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore satisfaction on speech and treatment outcomes, as well as the further treatment needs for CLP in Lao PDR.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was undertaken and a background conducted on the problems of services for CLP in Lao PDR. A questionnaire was then developed to explore the magnitude of effects on speech and treatment outcomes as well as further treatment needs for CLP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average scoring of children with CLP speech and configuration indicated that they have the least satisfaction with articulation and figure of lips. The majority of caregivers and patients agreed that correction of articulation defects was the aspect of their care most needing further treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Satisfaction with speech and treatment outcomes was critical issues in Lao PDR requiring development of an appropriate therapy model for children with CLP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand bprathanee@gmail.com
authors.forename: Benjamas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prathanee
authors.forename: Tawitree
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pumnum
authors.forename: Pechcharat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaiyong
authors.forename: Cholada
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seepuaham
authors.forename: Vieng
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Xayasin
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007812:Laos; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires