Knowledge of Environmental and Genetic Risk Factors for Cleft Lip and Palate among Dwellers of a Suburban Community in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) is a prevalent condition with a multifactorial etiology. An understanding of its etiologic factors discourages harmful habits and promotes societal acceptability.
 Objectives: To assess the knowledge of environmental and genetic risk factors of CLP and determine its effect on predisposing social habits in a suburban community in Nigeria.
 Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Ifo Local Government Area (LGA), Ogun state, Nigeria. Participants were adult residents of Ifo L.G.A. Knowledge of CLP categorized into description, environmental risk factors and genetic factors were assessed using a well structured interviewer administered questionnaire.
 Results: A total of 300 adults (104 males; 196 females) aged 44.3 + 13.17 years with predominantly secondary level education participated in the study. Majority of participants (89.7%) had low overall knowledge of CLP including low knowledge on description of CLP (81.7%), environmental factors of CLP (81.3%), and genetic factors of CLP (93.7%). High level of education was significantly associated with increased knowledge on description of CLP (P < 0.05). No other significant association was noted between sociodemographic factors and knowledge of CLP. Decreased smoking history was associated with high knowledge on description of CLP (P = 0.043).
 Conclusion: Majority of the population had low knowledge of CLP which was to an extent influenced by their lack of high level of education. This low knowledge was significantly associated with increased practices of social habits such as cigarette smoking that predispose unborn children to CLP. The low knowledge of CLP shown in this study highlights the need for increased community education and health promotion to encourage avoidance of risk factors that predispose to the condition and promote societal acceptability and quest for treatment of the condition.
 Author
 U P Egbunah 1, A A Adekunle 1, W L Adeyemo 1 2