Abstract
Aim: Long-term health of the stomatognathic system as well as esthetic aspects is the therapeutic goals in patients with orofacial clefts (OFCs). The aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic profile of patients with OFCs in India. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 108 cleft patients. Subjects were divided into three groups. Group 1: Patients with cleft lip (CL), Group 2: Subjects with cleft palate and Group 3: Subjects with CL alveolus and palate (CLAP). A pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed using Pareek's scale for the rural population and Kuppuswamy's scale for the urban population. Results: Among the 108 study subjects, 69 (63.9%) were males, and 39 (36.1%) were females. 64 (59.2%) study subjects were residing in rural areas, and 44 (40.8%) were residing in urban areas. 29 (26.80%) from rural areas and 21 (19.50%) from the urban areas had a family income below Rs. 5001-10000. In rural areas, 47 (73.40%) study subjects belonged to the middle class and 17 (26.60%) study subjects belonged to the lower middle class. In urban areas, 20 (45.50%) study subjects belonged to the middle class and 24 (54.50%) study subjects belonged to the lower class. Conclusion: Most of the study subjects in rural areas belonged to middle SES, whereas in urban areas belonged to lower SES.
Highlights
Socioeconomic status (SES) is most often characterized as the hierarchical rank of an individual or family in a particular community or society
Quick response code: Aim: Long-term health of the stomatognathic system as well as esthetic aspects is the therapeutic goals in patients with orofacial clefts (OFCs)
Epidemiological studies have shown that health and diseases are not distributed in social classes
Summary
Socioeconomic status (SES) is most often characterized as the hierarchical rank of an individual or family in a particular community or society. The social indicators of SES include intangible characteristics such as educational attainment, occupational prestige, authority, group associations, place of residence, and community standing. Decades of research have shown SES to be consistently and significantly correlated with occupational attainment, health status, and social capital. The study of SES is most prominent in sociology, which broadly and most often examines relationships between social and economic class and educational inequality, health, residential segregation, and race. Social science researchers in general have used SES as a construct to disaggregate inequalities across racial and ethnic groups.[1] Epidemiological studies have shown that health and diseases are not distributed in social classes. Individuals in the upper social classes have a longer life expectancy and better health and nutritional status than those in the lower social classes.[1]
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