Culture and credibility: the sense-making process of Peruvian parents following their child's cleft diagnosis

This study investigates the sense-making process of parents in a developing country after receiving an oral cleft diagnosis for their child. Data collection took place at an Operation Smile mission in Juliaca, Peru and consisted of timeline interviews to investigate individual sense-making processes and a survey to gauge levels of credibility assigned to health information from a variety of communication channels, both mass and interpersonal. Results showed that both culture and credibility influenced information-seeking behaviors and should be taken into consideration by health communicators. Recommendations are made for health communication practices to educate Peruvian parents and the general Peruvian public about clefts using channels and formats they are familiar with and receptive to. Implications for practitioners in other settings and Sense-making Theory are discussed, as well as study limitations and future research.