Chinese attitudes toward cleft lip and palate: effects of personal contact.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of personal contact on the attitudes of individuals towards persons with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and the possible cultural differences in these attitudes for Chinese respondents living in Hong Kong. DESIGN Chinese parent, teacher, and employer groups were administered a cleft lip and palate attitudinal questionnaire and the Scale of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons inventory. SUBJECTS Thirty-nine parents of children with CLP, 27 teachers of children with CLP, and 37 employers with no previous contact with individuals with CLP participated in the study. RESULTS The results showed significant intergroup differences on several items involving beliefs concerning emotional health, social development, and employment-related barriers for individuals with CLP, and whether such individuals should seek nonmedical help to treat speech problems. Employers showed a comparatively less favorable attitude to persons with CLP than the two other groups. CONCLUSION Parent, teacher, and employer groups in the Chinese community studied showed differences in their attitudes towards individuals with CLP. The findings suggest the need for further community health education to help develop more positive attitudes towards disabled persons in general, as well as programs targeted at reducing negative stereotyping of adults and children with CLP.