Effectiveness of Networking of Khon Kaen University Community-Based Speech Model: Quality of Life
Suteera Pradubwong MSN*, Benjamas Prathanee PhD**, Niramol Patjanasoontorn MD***
Affiliation : * Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : After surgically correcting deformities in children with cleft lip/palate (CLP), 88% still had speech disorders,
resonance disorders, voice abnormalities, and unintelligibility that affected daily life. Accessibility to speech therapy in
developing countries is limited. The community-Based Speech Therapy Model is one means of improving communication and
quality of life.
Objective : To evaluate quality of life and reflections from children, families, and speech assistants (SAs) who participated in
Networking of Khon Kaen University Community-Based, Speech Therapy Model (KKUCBSM) in Mahasarakham province.
Material and Method: The model was piloted from March 2014 to February 2015. The Tawanchai Quality of Life questionnaire,
General Health Questionnaire (Thai GHQ-12), and open-ended question feedback were used for collecting data June to
August 2015. Demographic data were reported as percentages, means, standard deviations, and content analysis of open-
ended questions.
Results : Fourteen children with cleft lip and palate (mean age 5.5 years: 7 boys, 7 girls), 14 caregivers and 6 SAs were
recruited for this study. Most caregivers were parents (9 families). Their needs were dental care followed by skills to support
child development and skills to improve the children’s speech (score 4.64+0.497, 4.57+0.646, 4.50+0.519, respectively). The
score for psychosocial satisfaction vis-a-vis facial appearance was good (3.50+0.760), but for negative result scores, they felt
significantly less happy, tired, and hopeless (4.79+0.579). The anxiety score was in the normal range.
As a result of interviewing about problems and obstacles before joining, caregivers reported their greatest problems
arose from difficulties traveling to join the project (costs were greater than reimbursements and time was insufficient). SAs
reported being overworked. Benefits from participation in the project included: children with clefts consistently accessed
speech services by SAs in community, caregivers gained good experiences for daily living support and speech correction. SAs
gained experiences in speech correction under supervision of Speech and language pathologists (SLPs) that could be used to
help other children with speech defects and other patients besides children with clefts.
Conclusion : KKUCBSM for children with CLP was not only the effective way for solving articulation defects, but also
improved quality of life in children with CLP.
Keywords : Community-based speech, Quality of life, Cleft lip, Cleft palate
