The needs of parents of children with allergic diseases in preschool and school: A focus-group study.

PURPOSE: To describe the perceived physical and psychological needs of parents of children with allergic diseases and asthma regarding allergy management in preschools and schools. METHODS: We conducted a semi-structured focus group study with parents of children (ages 2-13 years) with different types of allergic diseases with/without asthma living in Stockholm, Sweden. Data were analyzed qualitative with systematic text condensation. RESULTS: Across 4 focus groups, involving 25 parents, four primary themes representing parents' expressed needs related to allergy management in preschools and schools emerged: (i) Well-implemented routines (to create an allergy-safe physical environment where personnel have clear responsibilities and communication); (ii) Allergy competence among personnel (basic and practical knowledge, being able to act in emergency situations); (iii) My child is to be treated equally (with equal conditions and for their child to being included); (iv) To feel trust (parents need to be understood, taken seriously and feel confident in the preschool/school personnel's ability to take care of their child in a secure way). CONCLUSION: This qualitative study shows parents needs regarding general allergy management in preschool/school. These needs emphasized well implemented allergy routines, improved allergy knowledge and competence among personnel, importance of equal conditions for children with allergic disease and establishing a trustful allergy-supportive relationship with both parents and children. IMPLICATIONS IN PRACTICE: The study findings provide crucial insights for school administrators, teachers, and health care professionals on how to improve allergy management in preschools and schools.

COVID-19 among young adults in Sweden: self-reported long-term symptoms and associated factors.

AIMS: The main aim of the study was to describe self-reported symptoms of COVID-19 and examine if long-term symptoms are associated with lifestyle factors or common chronic diseases among Swedish young adults. A secondary aim was to compare the prevalence of smoking and snuff use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study population includes 1644 participants aged 23-26 years from the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE. From August to November 2020, the participants answered a web questionnaire on COVID-19 symptoms, lifestyle and health. Information on tobacco use was compared against the previous study follow-up in 2016-2019. RESULTS: The prevalence of suspected COVID-19 symptoms was 45.3% (n=742), and 80 of these (10.8%) reported long-term symptoms (⩾4 weeks). There was no significant difference in sociodemographic or lifestyle factors in relation to the duration of suspected COVID-19 symptoms. Rhinitis, migraine and lower self-rated health before the pandemic was more common among participants with long-term symptoms. In addition, there was a tendency for higher prevalences of asthma, chronic bronchitis and depression in this group. The prevalence of smoking decreased from 18.9% before the pandemic to 14.7% during the pandemic, while snuff use increased from 12.7% to 22.4% (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of Swedish young adults have had symptoms of suspected COVID-19 from February up to August 2020. Among these, one out of 10 have had long-term symptoms for at least 4 weeks. Long-term symptoms of suspected COVID-19 were associated with several common chronic conditions. Smoking may have decreased during the pandemic, while snuff use may have increased.