Food Allergy Management at School

• DOI: 10.1111/josh.12885
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03T03:00:00Z
• Authors: Roxanne Dupuis; Eliza Whiteman Ki...; Jonathan M. Spergel; Terri Brown‐White...; Amy Graves; Kate Samuelson; Caleb Epstein; Cynthia Mollen; Carolyn C. Cannuscio
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adolescent; Universities; Peer Group; Interviews as Topic; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Child; Students; 10. No inequality; Aged; 2. Zero hunger; Schools; Health Policy; 4. Education; Food Services; Middle Aged; United States; 3. Good health; Female; Food Hypersensitivity

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Approximately 8% of schoolchildren in the United States experience potentially life‐threatening food allergies. They must diligently avoid allergenic foods and have prompt access to epinephrine treat anaphylaxis. These prevention strategies be sustained without interruption, posing a range challenges at school. METHODS We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 178 participants about their experiences managing allergies outside home. Interviews were transcribed analyzed using an iterative approach NVivo 10. RESULTS Participants reported highly varied school across ecological model. described need proactive self‐sufficient manage Whereas allergy‐related social exclusion was common, also positive peer interactions, including intensive engagement support. perceived that formal policies limited scope inconsistently implemented. Prevention‐oriented more common lower grades than higher grades. CONCLUSIONS Poorly defined implemented disrupted students' educational school, families' relationships staff, and, ultimately, safety wellbeing students Given high prevalence among children, these findings demonstrate for multiple layers support facilitate safe, socially inclusive allergy management schools.