Patient-perceived barriers to surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate in Brazil: A multi-region study.

Introduction: Many patients worldwide are unable to access timely primary repair of cleft lip and palate. The aim of this study was to assess patient-perceived barriers to accessing timely cleft lip and palate repair across Brazil.

Methods: A 29-item questionnaire was applied to patients undergoing surgery for cleft lip and/or palate across five contrasting sites in Brazil from February 2016 to November 2017.

Patient-Perceived Barriers to Accessing Cleft Care at a Tertiary Referral Center in São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries, poor access to care can result in delayed surgical repair of orofacial clefts leading to poor functional outcomes. Even in Brazil, an upper middle-income country with free comprehensive cleft care, delayed repair of orofacial clefts commonly occurs. This study aims to assess patient-perceived barriers to cleft care at a referral center in São Paulo.