Health Literacy Among Caregivers of Children With IgE-mediated Allergy at Risk of Anaphylaxis

Abstract

Objective

We analyzed the effect of an anaphylaxis training session on the health literacy level of caregivers of children ((grand)parents, crèche supervisors and teachers) with IgE-mediated allergy at risk of anaphylaxis.

Methods

Caregivers of children with IgE-mediated food or insect venom allergy, were prospectively offered a training session on top of standard care provided by a pediatrician. We studied the effect on health literacy (knowledge and self-efficacy) of caregivers with a three parted questionnaire: 1) knowledge score, 2) validated Dutch-translated self-efficacy score, 3) added value of the session.  Data analysis was done with non-parametric statistics.

Results

Four training sessions were attended by 140 caregivers, 116 (82.9%) consented for participation, 71 (50.7%) completed the questionnaire before and after training. Baseline knowledge was high (n=116, median 66.7%), and similar in complete and partial responders, but significantly higher in younger caregivers (<55 years, n=49/71 (69%), p=0.03) and tended to be higher in first-degree relatives (n=29/71 (40.8%), p=0.056)). Baseline self–efficacy was high in the total group (80%) without differences amongst the subgroups (age, caregiver type, education and type of training).Training improved knowledge (from 66.7% to 83.3%; p<0.001) and self-efficacy (from 80% to 85%; p<0.001) in all participants and in the subgroups.

Interpretation

Anaphylaxis training session offered on top of standard pediatric care significantly improved the total score of knowledge and self-efficacy of caregivers of children at risk of anaphylaxis. Training sessions should become standard of care.