The first research project conducted during the MOST mission took place this year. Ryan TerLouw, a medical student at the University of Iowa, gathered information on beliefs and understandings of cleft conditions. With the help of his interpreter he interviewed 39 of the families of children with cleft lip and/or palate issues who came to the MOST mission. The interviews were done when the families were screened for surgery. The main theme of the study was to assess the beliefs surrounding causation of clefts in Guatemala.
Out of the 39 interviewed, almost a quarter attributed the eclipse or the pull of the moon to their child’s cleft. In some cases the mother could describe in detail the event of looking at the eclipse. When asked about their religious beliefs, over 50% of those interviewed identified themselves as Protestant. Of those saying they were Protestant, many still believed the eclipse caused their child’s condition.
There were a number of the families who had previously sought care for their child. Those families had some ideas of cleft conditions related to vitamins, nutrition and folic acid. The researcher says:
“This research opportunity was great and allowed me to see how culture effects Guatemalan’s choice and the follow-up on their healthcare.”
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