Food allergy response capabilities of mothers and related factors

Abstract

A parent's ability to confidently manage a child's food allergy (i.e. food allergy response capability) is considered instrumental toward treating this disorder; however, little is known regarding this measure and associated factors. A questionnaire survey among 280 qualified participants identified the greatest food allergy response capability as "spousal collaboration", followed by "elimination diet capacity", "gathering information from medical professionals", "knowledge about food allergies", and "stress coping". These capabilities were associated with maternal and household health status, food items eliminated and their number, anaphylaxis experience, and type of medical facility used. This measure represented a predictor of maternal quality of life and health status, household health status, and overall life stress (not related to childrearing). Thus, to improve food allergy response capability, multidisciplinary cooperation and support are required from professionals, such as physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and clinical psychologists. Nurses in particular must take an interest in the situations these mothers face and in their emotions; elicit their power to cope with stress; provide knowledge about food allergies; provide individualized, specific information about elimination diets; and conduct interventions to enable spousal cooperation.

An online, peer-mentored food allergy education program improves children’s and parents’ confidence

“…In our study, an online, anonymous food allergy education program moderated by peers, not healthcare professionals, yielded substantial and some significant improvements in food allergy confidence. Elsewhere, multidisciplinary healthcare professionals teams have been described as requires supports to improve mothers’ food allergy confidence [ 23 ]. Yet, owing to a paucity of food allergy health professionals across Canada [ 24 ], peer mentorship may play an important role in improving confidence while minimizing any additional burden to food allergy health professionals.…”

Atitudes e práticas de cuidadores sobre a alergia ao leite de vaca segundo os estágios de mudança do comportamento

“…Tais fatores podem influenciar a qualidade de vida dos cuidadores, sendo importante o acompanhamento e a avaliação da capacidade de resposta desses cuidadores ao lidar com o tratamento da doença alérgica, além de proporcionar apoio aos nutricionistas, médicos, psicólogos e enfermeiros no enfrentamento da alergia alimentar. 16,19 Em relação às facilidades apontadas por cuidadores participantes do estudo, 33,3% (10/30) destacaram o acesso às fórmulas substitutas do leite de vaca por meio de política pública. O uso de fórmulas infantis substitutas do leite de vaca na ALV contribui para a segurança alimentar e nutricional de lactentes e crianças menores quando essas se encontram impossibilitadas de receber aleitamento materno ou ainda fórmulas infantis à base de leite de vaca.…”