Knowledge on asthma, food allergies, and anaphylaxis: Assessment of elementary school teachers, parents/caregivers of asthmatic children, and university students in Uruguaiana, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Allergic diseases have become an increasingly common reality in the last years, extending beyond the family context. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the level of knowledge on asthma, food allergies and anaphylaxis of asthmatic children's parents/caregivers (PC), elementary school teachers (EST) and university students (US) in Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil. METHOD: 577 individuals (PC - N=111; EST - N=177; US - N=299) took part in the study, answering the Newcastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (validated for Portuguese) and another questionnaire on Food Allergy (FA) and anaphylaxis. RESULTS: Although PC have asthmatic children, their asthma knowledge level was average, slightly above that of EST and EU. The lack of knowledge on passive smoking, use of medications and their side effects should be highlighted. US have shown to be better informed about FA and anaphylaxis. However, even though a significant proportion of respondents know the most common symptoms of FA and anaphylaxis, few named subcutaneous adrenaline as the drug of choice for treating anaphylaxis. Although a significant number of respondents know about the possibility of anaphylactic reactions happening at school or in activities outside the school, we were surprised by the absence of conditions in schools to provide emergency care to such students. CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of allergic diseases in childhood, asthmatic children's parents/caregivers, elementary school teachers and university students have inadequate levels of knowledge to monitor these patients.