How do parents access, appraise, and apply health information on early childhood allergy prevention? A focus group and interview study

• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1123107
• Publication Date: 2023-04-17T05:15:14Z
• Authors: Jonas Lander; Eva Maria Bitzer; Julia von Sommoggy; Maja Pawellek; Hala Altawil; Cosima John; Christian Apfelba...; Marie-Luise Dierks
• Keywords: 360; Parents; allergy prevention; infants; evidence; 4. Education; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health; parents; Reproducibility of Results; -; babies; Focus Groups; 3. Good health; health information; Child, Preschool; Hypersensitivity; Humans; Public Health; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Qualitative Research

When parents want to make health-related decisions for their child, they need be able handle health information from a potentially endless range of sources. Early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP) is good example: recommendations have shifted allergen avoidance early introduction allergenic foods. We investigated how children under 3 years old access, appraise and apply about ECAP, respective needs preferences.We conducted 23 focus groups 24 interviews with 114 varied risk allergies. The recruitment strategy topic guide were co-designed the target group professionals public health, education, medicine. Data mostly collected via video calls, recorded then transcribed verbatim. Content analysis according Kuckartz was performed using MAXQDA findings are presented as descriptive overview.Parents most frequently referred family members, friends, other sources ECAP information, well healthcare (HCPs), particularly pediatricians. Parents said that exchanged experiences practices peers, while relying on HCPs guidance decision-making. searching online, infrequently recalled used rarely aware providers "good" information. While often reported trying identify authors its reliability, did not undertake more comprehensive quality checks. choice presentation criticized by all parent groups; in particular, at-risk or manifested dissatisfied HCP consultations, hence straightforwardly advice. Though many trusted HCPs, taking preventive measures based own intuition.One suggestion react upon criticisms expressed regarding who provides integrate central into regular child care counseling HCPs-provided feasible ways doing so identified. This would assist disease prevention, without specific concerns unaware dimension issues such nutrition.