Abstract

Background: Food allergy is a common life-threatening condition that can affect the whole families' well-being.The aim of this study was to estimate the awareness of mothers of allergic children about food allergy and to estimate the prevalence of food allergy among children in Taif city, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 400 mothers from Taif city. Data were collected through a self-reported modified questionnaire which was distributed online from September 2018 to March 2019.
Results: Out of 400 participants, 120 (30%) mothers stated that their children had food allergy according to their own knowledge. Out of 120 (30%), only 48 (12%) were diagnosed with food allergies through medical investigations. Unexpectedly, seven (15%) mothers with medically diagnosed children with food allergy were aware about the importance of an epinephrine pen injection. The present results also showed that the most common kind of food the children were allergic to was nuts 52 (43%) and fruits were the second common (42%). However, 58% mothers had poor knowledge about food allergy.
Conclusion: A health education program about food allergy should be designed and conducted to educate mothers and caregivers about food allergies and its treatment options. It is also recommended to prescribe an epinephrine injection when a child is diagnosed with food allergy and to educate the mothers and caregivers about the use of this injection.

Key words: Food, allergy, knowledge, awareness mothers, Taif