ResearcherID - CLICK HERE Scientific Journal Impact Factor (SJIF-2020) - CLICK HERE

ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF SCHOOLS AND PARENTS ABOUT TREATMENT OF ANAPHYLAXIS AFFECTED CHILDREN

Dr. Durr e Nayab, Zabitkhan Naibzai, Dr Ibrar Ahmed

Background: Allergies significantly affect the quality of life and it has also become a grave concern of the healthcare department in terms of its treatment cost which requires a suitable treatment plan. Objective: The objective of this research is to compare perception and knowledge of school and families about child care with anaphylaxis history and prescribed with epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). We also assessed the possible reasons of knowledge gap among school and families about various aspects of EpiPen. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional research was carried out at Mayo Hospital, Lahore from August 2018 to June 2019 on a total of 50 schools and 128 families where children were likely endangered with anaphylaxis and they were also prescribed EpiPen. The basic objective of the study aimed at the identification of deficiency of knowledge among schools and families about the reasons contributing to the knowledge gap. Results: Among total selected families and schools, 30 schools did not inform the parents about the health of the students who were at the risk of anaphylaxis. More importantly, 113 families (88%) and 42 schools (84%) failed to recognize related symptoms of anaphylaxis. Moreover, 67 families (52%) and 22 schools (44%) did not confirm that child should be given two EpiPen in severe allergic situation. EpiPen was administered by 18 families (14%) and 5 schools (6%). Conclusion: Schools and families should discuss anaphylaxis, its symptoms and related treatment. Both schools and families did not possess key information about the management of severe allergy. In order to manage child at anaphylaxis risk; there is a crucial need for communication between schools, healthcare professionals and families. Emergent steps are to be taken to educate schools and families about various aspects and possible treatment opportunities about management of anaphylaxis. Keywords: Allergy, Healthcare, Schools, Families, Parents, Students, Epinephrine Auto-Injector (EpiPen), Symptoms and Treatment.

FULL TEXT