Assessment of school preparedness in the school-aged child with a food allergy

Abstract

Food allergy education is often directed towards adult caregivers. However once children go to school they must participant in their food allergy care to remain safe. The purpose of this study was to assess food allergy knowledge and test an educational intervention targeted toward the child. We hypothesized that child-based teaching will be equal in safety and knowledge outcomes compared with standard parental education. Twenty nine children between the ages of 5-11 years of age and their caregivers were enrolled. Child subjects completed a food allergy knowledge questionnaire. Each caregiver/child dyad was randomized to receive parent targeted education (control) or child targeted education (treatment) and given an educational booklet. Six weeks later the child completed the same knowledge questionnaire. At the end of the semester, caregivers were asked to report allergic reactions that occurred at school. There were no differences between the groups on age or type of school attended. All subjects demonstrated a statistically significant increase in allergy knowledge from time one to time two (t = -6.301, p <0.001) There was no difference in knowledge between the groups at time two (t= -1.782, p= 0.089) and no difference between the groups on allergic reactions during the study period (X2 =0.524, p=0.47). This pilot study with a small sample size, demonstrated that child based education was comparable to education targeted toward caregivers with no difference in allergic events. Children can take an active role in education and management of their food allergies at school.