Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan Orangtua tentang Celah Bibir dan Langit-Langit dengan Keterlambatan Rujukan Di Rumah Sakit Kota Medan

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a common congenital orofacial disorder that requires early correction to minimize its impact and optimize treatment success. However, delays in patient referral to a hospital or doctor are often caused by parents' lack of awareness and knowledge about the impact of CLP and the importance of early management, including the use of feeding plates as the initial treatment. This delay in referral can hinder the achievement of optimal functional and aesthetic benefits for patients. To determine the factors that influence the delay in CLP management, as well as the relationship between the level of parental knowledge (general about CLP and specifically about feeding plates) and the delay in referral. A cross-sectional analytical survey was conducted on 103 parents of CLP patients in two hospitals in Medan City. Data were collected using a questionnaire, with the independent variable being the level of parental knowledge and the dependent variable being the delay in referral. Most (70.8%) parents had a moderate level of knowledge. There was a significant relationship (P=0.019) between the level of knowledge and referral delay. Patients with poor knowledge experienced a higher referral delay (77.8%) compared to those with good knowledge (38.1%). The level of parental knowledge is a factor that greatly influences the delay in referral/management of CLP diagnosis. There was a significant relationship between the level of parental knowledge, both regarding CLP and feeding plates, and referral delay (P<0.05).