Effectiveness of Community Based Worker Implemented Speech Correction Program for Children with Repaired Cleft Lip and Palate in Rural Districts of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a CBW delivered speech correction program for children with CLP in Cuddalore and Thiruvannamalai districts in Tamilnadu, India. A training module to provide knowledge and skill to CBWs on delivering speech correction program for stop consonants under the supervision of SLP was developed and its effectiveness was evaluated The effectiveness of the program was reported based on speech outcomes from CBW and SLP delivered speech correction program secondly follow up for intervention thirdly cost for travel time incurred towards availing speech correction program and fourthly perception of caregivers of children with CLP who received speech correction program through CBW Eight CBWs from Cuddalore 05 and Thiruvannamalai 03 completed the training module The developed training modules were effective in providing the knowledge and skill required Needs related to speech perceived by caregivers revealed they were aware of issues related to speech in their children with CLP and reported logistics reasons for not availing speech therapy From a cohort of 400 individuals with CLP in both the districts 97 participants were recruited for speech correction program The entire program was completed by 74 participants which included 37 each in CBW delivered and SLP delivered speech correction program Speech samples were recorded periodically to analyse outcomes of the speech correction program In this study the intervention program was limited to correction of errors in stop consonants was executed by CBW under the direct supervision of SLP Overall findings of the study revealed that participants in the CBW model showed similar patterns of progress compared to participants who received intervention through SLP During the focus group discussion caregivers responded positively when probed about the speech correction services provided by CBW The results of this study suggest that this model could serve as a viable model of intervention in places where the needs are more and services of SLP