The purpose of this study was to measure the food allergy(FA) awareness and management by preschooler’s parents and faculties of childcare centers.
A questionnaire survey was conducted to parents and faculties of childcare centers in Seoul between July and September, 2015. The questionnaire was designed to identify prevalence of food allergies, requirements of food allergy support and differences in food management according to the presence or absence allergic diseases. The questionnaire for parents included a modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood(ISAAC) questionnaire, and questions regarding food frequency and food allergy knowledge. After excluding incomplete responses, the data of 158 parents of preschoolers(90.3%) and 171 faculties of 137 childcare centers(95.0%) were used for statistical analysis.
Family history of allergy significantly(p<0.001) affected allergic group. The rate of the preschoolers who had experienced food allergy (FA, ever) was 38.6% and diagnosed for food allergy by physician (Diagnosis FA, ever) were 17.7%. Forty nine preschoolers(80.3%) had food restriction, and twenty three preschoolers (37.7%) had self-restriction without diagnosis. The consumption frequencies of allergenic foods in FA group, such as ramyeon, noodles, bread, eggs, yogurt, ice cream, were significantly(p<0.001) lower than those of the other two groups. The major symptoms were related to skin and the major allergenic foods were eggs, milk, wheat, processed foods in FA group. The average knowledge score was significantly(p<0.01) higher in parents of FA group than those of the other two groups. But overall food allergy-related knowledge level of parents was insufficient. Only 26 parents(16.5%) had received training about food allergies. All parents wanted to provide food allergy-related supports. In addition, most of parents wanted substitute menu for children with food allergy.
Ninety six childcare centers asked parents about their children''s allergic disease and 151 children from 66 childcare centers had food allergies. A reported 89 children from 43 childcare centers had food restrictions. But 9 childcare centers(21.0%) didn''t know food restriction of food allergy children. Only 6 childcare centers(14.0%) supplied substitute foods with the same amounts and type of nutrients. Forty eight faculties(28.1%) had received training about food allergies. Although some variances by institution type existed, most of faculties wanted food allergy-related supports.
In conclusion, this study identified a lack of food allergy training for preschooler''s parents and faculties of childcare centers. For proper management, overall food allergy education is necessary to both parents and faculties of childcare centers. Food allergy-related supports, such as menus with allergenic ingredients, guidelines for food allergy & anaphylaxis emergency care plan etc, should be provided for parents and faculties.