Student research
by
May Shuen Lim
Master of Nutrition and Dietetics,
The University of Sydney
Supervisors: Velencia
Soutter, Anne Swain, Robert Loblay, Maine
Norberg
October 2001
Full Text - PDF (551 KB)
Introduction:
Food-induced anaphylaxis is the most severe form of food
allergy. It can be fatal if prompt emergency treatment is
not given. Food allergies and food-induced anaphylaxis are
increasing and children while at school are at particular
risk.
To investigate:
(1) Teachers attitude and level of knowledge about food allergies.
(2) Barriers which may impair teachers' ability to
deal with food
anaphylaxis.
(3) The effectiveness of the educational package on
food
allergy for schools and preschools.
(4) The most effective way to disseminate the information
in the
educational package.
Cross-sectional mailed survey of school teachers from normal education and intensive support school. Data was collected using a written questionnaire, which explored various aspects of teachers' knowledge and attitude towards food-induced anaphylaxis, confidence in managing emergency, legal and social issues.
Results:There was an increase of 15% for teaching staffs who felt confident in giving emergency treatment and a 10% increase in staffs who felt confident that they can recognize the symptoms of a severe allergy reaction for intervention groups(234). Simply answering the questionnaires had a significant impact on the scores of the control group. A high percentage (98%) in intervention group intended to ask the principal whether a plan and procedures about children with food allergy was available at the schools and pre-schools.
Conclusion:The educational package was successful in improving teachers'
confidence and ability to manage an emergency, and in altering
attitudes towards food allergy. Simply answering the questionnaires
had an impact even on the scores of the control group. Scores
appeared to show obvious improvements for respondents who
each received a set of the educational package, which consisted
of a video and a food allergy booklet.