Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis
Abstract Background Food allergy affects 7-8% of children worldwide. Teachers supervise children in school, where most children spend their day. Yet, teachers have variable food allergy-related knowledge. Objective We aimed to identify how Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers manage food allerg...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00798-z |
| _version_ | 1797778817209597952 |
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| author | Mae Jhelene L. Santos Kaitlyn Merrill Natalie Riediger Elissa M. Abrams Nathalie Piquemal Elinor Simons Jennifer L.P. Protudjer |
| author_facet | Mae Jhelene L. Santos Kaitlyn Merrill Natalie Riediger Elissa M. Abrams Nathalie Piquemal Elinor Simons Jennifer L.P. Protudjer |
| author_sort | Mae Jhelene L. Santos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Food allergy affects 7-8% of children worldwide. Teachers supervise children in school, where most children spend their day. Yet, teachers have variable food allergy-related knowledge. Objective We aimed to identify how Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers manage food allergy and prevent food-triggered allergic reactions in their classrooms and schools. Methods Kindergarten-Grade 6 public and private school teachers, from Winnipeg, Canada, were interviewed virtually upon providing written informed consent. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The study followed a pragmatic framework. Data were analysed via thematic analysis by multiple researchers. Results We interviewed 16 teachers, who primarily identified as female (87.5%). Most teachers worked in public schools (87.5%) and, on average, had 5.8 years of teaching experience. We identified four themes within the data. Most teachers (68.9%) had direct or indirect experience with food allergy. Theme 1 described the minimal standardization and inconsistent enforcement of food allergy policies between and within schools. Teachers also had varied food allergy knowledge. Theme 2 reflected teachers’ variable confidence/perceived knowledge towards food allergy management, including feeling of stress and anxiety. Theme 3 captured the lack of standardized food allergy education for teachers, and concerns about the adequacy of the current provincial program. Theme 4 described how teachers spoke of relying on other school staff, families and students to have effective communication. Conclusion Teachers’ food allergy management was informed by their knowledge and lived experience, guided by their school policies and individualized students’ needs. Teachers identified gaps in knowledge and communication, and desired more training and resources. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:23:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23c5b1d48b074c3cb75fa826a085073f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1710-1492 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T23:23:00Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology |
| spelling | doaj.art-23c5b1d48b074c3cb75fa826a085073f2023-07-16T11:19:52ZengBMCAllergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology1710-14922023-07-0119111110.1186/s13223-023-00798-zWinnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysisMae Jhelene L. Santos0Kaitlyn Merrill1Natalie Riediger2Elissa M. Abrams3Nathalie Piquemal4Elinor Simons5Jennifer L.P. Protudjer6Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of ManitobaChildren’s Hospital Research Institute of ManitobaDepartment of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of ManitobaDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of ManitobaFaculty of Education, University of ManitobaDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of ManitobaDepartment of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of ManitobaAbstract Background Food allergy affects 7-8% of children worldwide. Teachers supervise children in school, where most children spend their day. Yet, teachers have variable food allergy-related knowledge. Objective We aimed to identify how Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers manage food allergy and prevent food-triggered allergic reactions in their classrooms and schools. Methods Kindergarten-Grade 6 public and private school teachers, from Winnipeg, Canada, were interviewed virtually upon providing written informed consent. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The study followed a pragmatic framework. Data were analysed via thematic analysis by multiple researchers. Results We interviewed 16 teachers, who primarily identified as female (87.5%). Most teachers worked in public schools (87.5%) and, on average, had 5.8 years of teaching experience. We identified four themes within the data. Most teachers (68.9%) had direct or indirect experience with food allergy. Theme 1 described the minimal standardization and inconsistent enforcement of food allergy policies between and within schools. Teachers also had varied food allergy knowledge. Theme 2 reflected teachers’ variable confidence/perceived knowledge towards food allergy management, including feeling of stress and anxiety. Theme 3 captured the lack of standardized food allergy education for teachers, and concerns about the adequacy of the current provincial program. Theme 4 described how teachers spoke of relying on other school staff, families and students to have effective communication. Conclusion Teachers’ food allergy management was informed by their knowledge and lived experience, guided by their school policies and individualized students’ needs. Teachers identified gaps in knowledge and communication, and desired more training and resources.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00798-zAnaphylaxisElementary schoolEpinephrineFood allergyFood allergy managementInterviews |
| spellingShingle | Mae Jhelene L. Santos Kaitlyn Merrill Natalie Riediger Elissa M. Abrams Nathalie Piquemal Elinor Simons Jennifer L.P. Protudjer Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Anaphylaxis Elementary school Epinephrine Food allergy Food allergy management Interviews |
| title | Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis |
| title_full | Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis |
| title_fullStr | Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis |
| title_short | Winnipeg-based elementary school teachers’ perspectives on food allergy management: a qualitative analysis |
| title_sort | winnipeg based elementary school teachers perspectives on food allergy management a qualitative analysis |
| topic | Anaphylaxis Elementary school Epinephrine Food allergy Food allergy management Interviews |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-023-00798-z |
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