Datasheet1_Knowledge gaps in food allergy among the general public in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Insights based on the Chicago food allergy research survey.pdf

BackgroundFood allergy is an increasing health concern. Studies have shown that food allergy knowledge is lacking among people, especially in areas related to distinction between food allergy and intolerance, symptoms recognition, and current means of management. This knowledge gap puts allergic patients at more risk of getting fatal anaphylactic reactions, which occur mostly in public areas. Locally, Public's knowledge and attitudes of food allergy was not sufficiently investigated. Therefore, we aim to assess food allergy knowledge and attitudes among Jeddah population in Saudi Arabia.
MethodsWe adopted The Chicago Food Allergy Research Survey for the General Public (CFARS-GP) and used it as a data collection tool. We hosted the questionnaire on Google Forms and distributed the link through social media outlets targeting individuals of Jeddah population who are 18 years old and above.
ResultsA total of 510 individuals completed the survey. The respondents answered 56% of the knowledge-based items correctly. Knowledge was strongest in symptoms/severity and definition/diagnosis, while it was weakest in susceptibility and prevalence, distinction between food allergy and intolerance, and food allergy management. Higher knowledge was significantly associated with prior training in food allergy, food-allergic acquaintance (i.e., having food allergy or knowing an allergic patient), and being a relative of a health care worker. For the attitudes, respondents thought that food allergy negatively affects patients' quality of life, and that schools should establish policies to protect allergic children; however, they downplayed stigma associated with food allergy.
ConclusionIncreased food allergy knowledge among the general public is needed especially in areas related to susceptibility and prevalence, distinction between food allergy and intolerance, triggers and environmental risks, and the management of food allergy. Prior experience with food allergy through (1) training, (2) food-allergic acquaintance, or (3) being a relative of a health care worker increases food allergy knowledge significantly. Thus, targeted educational interventions might have a significant effect in improving food allergy knowledge among the general population.

背景：食物过敏已成为日益严峻的公共健康问题。已有研究表明，大众普遍缺乏食物过敏相关知识，尤其在食物过敏与食物不耐受的鉴别、症状识别以及现有干预手段等方面存在明显认知缺口。这类认知缺口会使过敏患者面临更高的致死性过敏性休克反应风险，而此类反应多发生于公共场合。就沙特阿拉伯当地而言，目前针对吉达地区民众的食物过敏认知与态度的相关研究尚不充分。因此，本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯吉达地区民众的食物过敏认知水平与态度倾向。
研究方法：本研究采用面向普通大众的芝加哥食物过敏研究调查问卷（The Chicago Food Allergy Research Survey for the General Public, CFARS-GP）作为数据收集工具。将问卷部署于谷歌表单（Google Forms）平台，并通过社交媒体渠道分发问卷链接，调研对象为吉达地区年满18周岁的居民。
研究结果：本次调研共回收有效问卷510份。受访者的食物过敏知识类题目平均正确率为56%。民众在症状/严重程度认知以及定义/诊断相关知识上掌握情况最优，而在易感性与流行率、食物过敏与不耐受的鉴别以及食物过敏管理等方面的认知最为薄弱。较高的食物过敏认知水平与以下因素显著相关：曾接受过食物过敏相关培训、拥有食物过敏相关社交联结（即自身罹患食物过敏或认识过敏患者），以及为医护人员亲属。在态度层面，受访者普遍认为食物过敏会对患者的生活质量造成负面影响，且学校应制定相关政策以保护过敏儿童；但他们对食物过敏相关污名化问题的重视程度不足。
结论：大众亟需提升食物过敏相关认知，尤其是在易感性与流行率、食物过敏与不耐受的鉴别、诱因与环境风险以及食物过敏管理等领域。通过以下三种途径获得的食物过敏相关既往经历：①接受过食物过敏相关培训、②拥有食物过敏相关社交联结、③为医护人员亲属，均可显著提升民众的食物过敏认知水平。因此，针对性的教育干预措施或可有效提升普通民众的食物过敏认知水平。