Preliminary Results of the Teen Food Allergy Education Survey

Abstract

RationaleFood allergic teens are at increased risk of fatal anaphylactic reactions. Using teen input, the CAAEC wanted to develop an education program to help teens gain appropriate knowledge and skills to handle food allergies safely.MethodsBased on teen focus group interviews and literature review, an online survey was created. The link was distributed to food allergy professionals and lay organizations in Canada.Results89 teens completed the survey; 55 lived in Manitoba and Ontario (65%), 16 (24%) lived elsewhere in Canada, 8 lived outside of Canada (11%). Peanut allergy was common amongst the teens (73%) and 8 (9%) did not have an epinephrine auto-injector. 59 (74%) of the teens preferred a small group setting (5-15 people) and the majority of teens were interested in topics such as, “Social situations” (73%), “Traveling” (64%) with food allergies. The majority of teens thought the group should meet once/month (47%), weekday evening (58%) and that a young adult with a food allergy expert should lead the group (44%). Additionally, teens preferred getting new information through email (51%), talking to someone (53%), YouTube (53%) and through websites (62%); accessing online information with Smartphones (86%) and laptops (72%). 70% of the teens had looked at online food allergy resources.ConclusionsMany of the teens preferred small group settings to talk about food allergies and were experienced with technology to search for information online. The results of this data will help in the development of a food allergy education program for teens based on their learning preferences. RationaleFood allergic teens are at increased risk of fatal anaphylactic reactions. Using teen input, the CAAEC wanted to develop an education program to help teens gain appropriate knowledge and skills to handle food allergies safely. Food allergic teens are at increased risk of fatal anaphylactic reactions. Using teen input, the CAAEC wanted to develop an education program to help teens gain appropriate knowledge and skills to handle food allergies safely. MethodsBased on teen focus group interviews and literature review, an online survey was created. The link was distributed to food allergy professionals and lay organizations in Canada. Based on teen focus group interviews and literature review, an online survey was created. The link was distributed to food allergy professionals and lay organizations in Canada. Results89 teens completed the survey; 55 lived in Manitoba and Ontario (65%), 16 (24%) lived elsewhere in Canada, 8 lived outside of Canada (11%). Peanut allergy was common amongst the teens (73%) and 8 (9%) did not have an epinephrine auto-injector. 59 (74%) of the teens preferred a small group setting (5-15 people) and the majority of teens were interested in topics such as, “Social situations” (73%), “Traveling” (64%) with food allergies. The majority of teens thought the group should meet once/month (47%), weekday evening (58%) and that a young adult with a food allergy expert should lead the group (44%). Additionally, teens preferred getting new information through email (51%), talking to someone (53%), YouTube (53%) and through websites (62%); accessing online information with Smartphones (86%) and laptops (72%). 70% of the teens had looked at online food allergy resources. 89 teens completed the survey; 55 lived in Manitoba and Ontario (65%), 16 (24%) lived elsewhere in Canada, 8 lived outside of Canada (11%). Peanut allergy was common amongst the teens (73%) and 8 (9%) did not have an epinephrine auto-injector. 59 (74%) of the teens preferred a small group setting (5-15 people) and the majority of teens were interested in topics such as, “Social situations” (73%), “Traveling” (64%) with food allergies. The majority of teens thought the group should meet once/month (47%), weekday evening (58%) and that a young adult with a food allergy expert should lead the group (44%). Additionally, teens preferred getting new information through email (51%), talking to someone (53%), YouTube (53%) and through websites (62%); accessing online information with Smartphones (86%) and laptops (72%). 70% of the teens had looked at online food allergy resources. ConclusionsMany of the teens preferred small group settings to talk about food allergies and were experienced with technology to search for information online. The results of this data will help in the development of a food allergy education program for teens based on their learning preferences. Many of the teens preferred small group settings to talk about food allergies and were experienced with technology to search for information online. The results of this data will help in the development of a food allergy education program for teens based on their learning preferences.