Development and Evaluation of a Mobile Web-based Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Educational Program for Parents of School-aged Children with Food Allergy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to develop a mobile web-based food allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis management educational program for parents of school-aged children with food allergies and evaluate its effectiveness.

METHODS

A mobile program was developed based on a web-based teaching-learning system model. Its effectiveness was subsequently evaluated using a parallel, randomized controlled pre- and post-test design. This study included 73 parents of school-aged children with food allergies. These parents were randomly assigned to either the experimental (n = 37) or control (n = 36) groups. The experimental group participated in a 2-week mobile web-based educational program that covered major topics in FA and anaphylaxis management. These topics included an understanding of food allergies and anaphylaxis, learning techniques for using an epinephrine auto-injector, and developing an emergency action plan. An educational booklet was provided to the control group. Participants completed a pre-test and two post-test questionnaires to evaluate the impact of the program. The assessment tools were the Food Allergy Knowledge Test, Food Allergy Self-Efficacy for Parents, and Food Management and Adaptation Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a test of homogeneity for the pre-test, an independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

The experimental group experienced greater improvement in the knowledge of FA (post-intervention t = 14.51, p < .001; 2 weeks post-intervention, t = 16.15, p < .001), FA self-efficacy (post-intervention t = 77.99, p < .001; 2 weeks post-intervention, t = 76.09, p < .001), and practice behavior in FA management (post-intervention t = 28.10, p < .001; 2 weeks post-intervention, t = 27.98, p < .001) after web-based FA education.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed improvements in the knowledge, self-efficacy, and practice behaviors of parents regarding FA and anaphylaxis management. Therefore, the mobile web-based educational program can contribute to the effective management of food allergies and anaphylaxis for parents of school-aged children. CRIS registration: KCT0007491.

A Mixed-Methods Approach-Based Study of Anaphylaxis Awareness and Educational Needs among Nursing Students

In this mixed-methods study, we identified anaphylaxis awareness among nursing students through a survey, and the needs for anaphylaxis education through focus group interviews (FGIs). Anaphylaxis awareness was surveyed from 10 June–30 July 2018 using a structured questionnaire with 221 junior or senior nursing students. To assess the needs for anaphylaxis education, 14 senior nursing students were interviewed using FGIs from 10–22 June 2018. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS, and qualitative data were assessed using thematic analysis. Nursing students’ awareness of anaphylaxis was identified by correct answers to items concerning symptoms (33.0%), causes (64.6%), and treatments (55.8%), with an overall average of 51.5%. The thematic analysis identified four themes reflecting students’ educational needs: the need for anaphylaxis education, various education methods, field training-based study of educational content, and repeated education. Nursing students’ anaphylaxis awareness is low. Their specific needs derived in this study for anaphylaxis education should draw special attention when planning nursing curriculum. Incorporating these findings in future education programs may promote students’ confidence in treating anaphylaxis.