Food Allergy Management In Schools Research Articles

Effects of training on teachers' food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy levels.

Children are affected by food allergies more than adults, so teachers have the most significant responsibility for food allergy management in schools. To determine the effect of food allergies and anaphylaxis management training on Turkish teachers' self-efficacy. In this study, 90 teachers were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected before and immediately after the training on School Personnel's Self-Efficacy in Managing Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis at School Scale. A training program that consisted of 60-minute sessions was conducted. Data were evaluated using the paired samples t-test. There was a significant difference between the teachers' self-efficacy levels before (22.76±8.94) and after the training (32.81±6.09), and self-efficacy levels significantly increased (p < .05). The training increased the teachers' self-efficacy in managing food allergies and anaphylaxis.

Parental Health Literacy, Empowerment, and Advocacy for Food Allergy Safety in Schools: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Approximately 8% of elementary school-aged children in the United States have food allergies, a complicated health management situation that requires parents to use many types of health literacy, empowerment, and advocacy skills to work with school staff to protect their children. This cross-sectional study examined (a) whether the highest versus lowest levels of functional, communicative, and critical health literacy are associated with higher perceived effectiveness of parental advocacy behaviors for safe food allergy management in schools [parental advocacy]; and (b) whether communicative and critical health literacy are more strongly associated with parental advocacy than functional health literacy. A sample of parents of elementary school-aged children was recruited through 26 food allergy organizations and a research patient registry. Participants completed an anonymous online survey. Self-reported measurements of parental health literacy, empowerment, and advocacy were adapted and refined through pre-testing and pilot-testing. General linear model analyses were conducted to predict parental advocacy. Participants (N = 313) were predominantly White, college-educated mothers with moderately high levels of food allergy knowledge, health literacy, empowerment, and parental advocacy skills. Parents who scored at the highest levels in the three dimensions of health literacy reported they engaged in more effective advocacy behaviors than parents who scored at the lowest levels. Parental advocacy was predicted largely by parental empowerment and the quality of the relationship with the school (B = .41 and B = .40, respectively). Functional health literacy and the child's diagnosis of asthma were smaller predictors. While accounting for covariates, functional health literacy was significantly associated with parental advocacy whereas communicative and critical health literacy were not. Interventions to impact parental empowerment and parent-school relationships, including a health-literate universal precautions approach of communicating food allergy school policies, may influence parental advocacy for food allergy safety in schools. Further research could use a performance-based multidimensional measure of health literacy. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2023;7(3):e165-e175.].

Food Allergy Management Competence in Greek Schools

Schoolchildren are likely to consume meals and snacks at school, with a possibility of allergic food reactions and anaphylaxis in the school environment. The school personnel should be informed of the presence of schoolchildren with food allergy (FA) and need to be trained in the management of allergic reactions, as to prepare them to intervene appropriately when necessary. Limited knowledge of FA and its management is documented globally among school staff and there is no uniform protocol in schools. In this observational cross-sectional study, teachers at state schools throughout Greece completed an online anonymous questionnaire on their awareness of FA reactions and the plans for the management of medical emergencies in their schools of employment. Among the 289 teachers who responded the online invitation, 203 (70.24%) were female and 157 (54%) were aged under 40 years. Females expressed a higher level of concern about the presence of school personnel trained to manage FA symptoms (p = 0.001), written instructions, and the availability of adrenaline (epinephrine) at school (p < 0.001). A younger age was associated with a higher level of both interest and knowledge on FA management in schools. School directors were more certain about the availability of a special record of children with FA at school (p = 0.01), the availability of adrenaline (p = 0.006), and written guidelines on the management of serious health incidents at school (p = 0.04). Written guidelines instructing children to avoid sharing cutlery, glasses, home-prepared meals, and snacks bought from the school canteen were more common in schools in urban areas (p = 0.015). Only 20% of respondents could confirm with certainty that adrenaline autoinjectors (AAIs) were available at their schools, for the purpose of administering to children in the case of a severe FA reaction. Approximately 3/4 of the participating teachers stated that completion of this questionnaire raised their awareness of the risk of FA reactions in children at school. This study, the first in Greece to explore the knowledge of teachers about FA in schoolchildren, revealed the following absences in many schools: a process for identifying children with FA, a written emergency treatment plan, and immediate access to emergency AAI. School FA guidelines are necessary in Greece, and training, which includes the use of AAIs, is required to prepare teachers to manage FA reactions in children at school.

Food Allergy Management in Elementary, Middle and High Schools of Korea (P04-058-19)

ObjectivesThe prevalence of food allergies has been increasing in Korean schools. The need for food allergy management in school meals has become important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of knowledge on food allergies and the actual condition of school food management by nutrition teachers, health teachers, and homeroom teachers. MethodsThis survey was conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Education September 2015. From 17 cities and provinces, a total of 1000 elementary, middle, and high schools were selected by a 2-stage stratified random sampling design. Nutrition teachers, health teachers and homeroom teachers were surveyed using a questionnaire on the perception and management status of food allergy. ResultsAccording to the results, 2.5% of nutrition teachers, 2.9% of health teachers, and 47.3% of homeroom teachers answered that they do not know about anaphylaxis, which is a severe food allergy symptom. Of the total nutrition teachers, 96.6% knew the causal foods of anaphylaxis, and 79.2% answered that students with food allergy tried not to be exposed to the causal food during lunch time or class. However, 44.1% of the nutrition teachers, 64.8% of the health teachers, and 79.2% of the homeroom teachers answered that they have never received training or education about food allergy. In case of a food allergy accident occurrence, 66.9% of the respondents replied that ‘would not administer emergency treatment’. The reasons for this, 85.8% of the respondents said ‘If the health teacher is in charge of emergency management, there are legal problems that conflict with other medical laws’, and 79.3% responded that ‘there is no legal protection for a manager against food allergy accidents’, and 14.6% answered ‘do not know how to manage food allergy’ ConclusionsAlthough most nutrition and health teachers except homeroom teachers are aware of the risk of food allergy and anaphylactic reactions, there is insufficient management system and legal guarantee in case of emergency and systematic education on food allergy management methods. Therefore, there are necessary to develop guidelines for food allergy management to cope effectively and systemically for the emergency situations, and to be continuous educations of food allergy for teachers Funding SourcesNo funding.

The Allergist's Role in Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Management in the School and Childcare Setting

Anaphylaxis and food allergy management in childcare facilities and schools are growing challenges. An increasing number of children experience severe allergic reactions on school grounds as evidenced by reports of epinephrine use. Data also suggest that the prevalence of food allergy may be increasing, with a large percentage of school-aged children at risk for anaphylaxis. Moreover, anaphylaxis may occur for the first time in a previously undiagnosed child at school or childcare setting, suggesting that general preparedness is essential. Management includes strategies for minimizing the risk of reactions and allergen exposures as well as readiness to recognize and treat allergic reactions of any severity. The primary objective of this report is to offer health care providers an overview of relevant evidence, resources, and expert opinion to assist with developing interprofessional collaborative counsel on school food allergy management and anaphylaxis preparedness with families, schools, and childcare settings. We present the current evidence base, suggest resources, and highlight areas of current controversy that warrant further study.

Doctor, my child is bullied: food allergy management in schools.

Studies suggest that food allergies have increased in prevalence, resulting in most school classrooms having more than one child affected. Children with food allergies are vulnerable for experiencing potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, as well as social consequences such as bullying. Management recommendations for food allergies in schools should incorporate knowledge of both issues. Current recommendations for food allergy management in schools focus on appropriate avoidance measures and prompt recognition and treatment of allergic reactions. Guidelines focus upon a school-wide approach, with comprehensive involvement of many stakeholders, but individual students require specific emergency action plans. Special risk groups include young children who need additional supervision and adolescents who may take risks. Based on the observation that anaphylaxis can occur in persons without a prior diagnosis, having epinephrine available for prompt first-aid management of any student in need is now recommended. To promote socialization, avoidance measures should minimize separation of children with food allergies from their peers. Parents and schools need to be aware of bullying and implement intervention and prevention measures. Management recommendations for food allergies in schools should ensure the safety of the child, address bullying, and avoid unnecessary isolation.

Parent's Perception of Food Allergy Management in Schools

Parent's Perception of Food Allergy Management in Schools