An online, peer-mentored food allergy education program improves children's and parents' confidence.
Education
Food allergy
Mentorship
Journal
Allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology : official journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
ISSN: 1710-1484
Titre abrégé: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101244313
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
29 May 2023
29 May 2023
Historique:
received:
24
01
2023
accepted:
25
04
2023
medline:
30
5
2023
pubmed:
30
5
2023
entrez:
29
5
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Children with food allergy, and their families experience substantial burdens because of efforts necessary to minimize the risk of anaphylaxis. To this end, peer-to-peer education is paramount. Food Allergy Canada offers an online, peer-to-peer mentoring program. However, the impact of this program has not previously been formally evaluated. To determine if Allergy Pals, an online, peer-to-peer mentoring program, for children aged 7-11 years, increased child and parental food allergy competency, and confidence. Our secondary aim was to qualitatively describe the experiences of the program. From May 2020-May 2021, children and their parents were invited to participate in an online, anonymous survey about Allergy Pals, at pre-program, and post-program. Primary outcomes, which were described and compared using chi2 or t-tests, as appropriate for the respective variables, included food allergy competence (epinephrine carriage, signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis) and food allergy confidence (e.g. comfort asking other for food allergy-related support). Secondary outcomes included child and parent perceptions of the program, which were analysed thematically. Overall, 17 children completed the pre-program, and 11 completed the post-program survey. Corresponding numbers for parents were 25 and 23. Food allergy competence was high pre-program, and remained so post-program. Food allergy confidence improved from pre-program to post-program. E.g. Children tended to feel less left out (5/12, 41.7%; 3/10; 30.0%, respectively), a finding that was reflected also in parents' scores. Themes identified for child and parent perceptions further supported improved food allergy confidence. Although food allergy competence was high pre-program, Allergy Pals improved food allergy confidence.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Children with food allergy, and their families experience substantial burdens because of efforts necessary to minimize the risk of anaphylaxis. To this end, peer-to-peer education is paramount. Food Allergy Canada offers an online, peer-to-peer mentoring program. However, the impact of this program has not previously been formally evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
To determine if Allergy Pals, an online, peer-to-peer mentoring program, for children aged 7-11 years, increased child and parental food allergy competency, and confidence. Our secondary aim was to qualitatively describe the experiences of the program.
METHODS
METHODS
From May 2020-May 2021, children and their parents were invited to participate in an online, anonymous survey about Allergy Pals, at pre-program, and post-program. Primary outcomes, which were described and compared using chi2 or t-tests, as appropriate for the respective variables, included food allergy competence (epinephrine carriage, signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis) and food allergy confidence (e.g. comfort asking other for food allergy-related support). Secondary outcomes included child and parent perceptions of the program, which were analysed thematically.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Overall, 17 children completed the pre-program, and 11 completed the post-program survey. Corresponding numbers for parents were 25 and 23. Food allergy competence was high pre-program, and remained so post-program. Food allergy confidence improved from pre-program to post-program. E.g. Children tended to feel less left out (5/12, 41.7%; 3/10; 30.0%, respectively), a finding that was reflected also in parents' scores. Themes identified for child and parent perceptions further supported improved food allergy confidence.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Although food allergy competence was high pre-program, Allergy Pals improved food allergy confidence.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37248523
doi: 10.1186/s13223-023-00800-8
pii: 10.1186/s13223-023-00800-8
pmc: PMC10226017
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
47Subventions
Organisme : Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba
ID : Start Up Funds
Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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