JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Food allergy in children increases in prevalence in the western world and appears to become an important health problem. Parents of children with suspected food allergy live with the fear of allergic reactions to foods, especially when the children are very young. The paradigm shift in allergy prevention in the last decade - away from allergen avoidance towards a tolerance induction approach - is associated with the challenge of dealing with changing (sometimes contradictory) information and new evidence. This requires a proactive, role for parents in managing daily life, which is often accompanied by insecurity. The NAMIBIO app consortium aims to identify early predictors for the development of food allergy in children and to develop apps to guide health professionals (HPs) and parents of children with a high risk for food allergy towards prevention and timely tolerance induction.

Objective:

We aim (as part of NAMIBIO app) to explore and understand parents’ and health professionals’ perspectives on prediction and prevention of food allergy. We are particularly interested in information needs, information seeking and health care utilisation and put a special focus on families' experiences when their child is considered at risk or diagnosed with food allergies. Furthermore, we will explore prediction and prevention strategies of health professionals.

Methods:

Our study uses a qualitative approach with topic-guided interviews with parents of children (0-3 years) and focus groups with pediatricians and allergists. Data collection will continue until theoretical saturation. We will use qualitative content analysis to identify overarching themes towards information needs and seeking behaviour as well as utilisation of healthcare. In addition, a constructivist grounded theory approach will be used to explore and understand parents' experiences, adaptations and strategies in daily life.

Results:

Recruitment and data collection started in February 2022. Depending on theoretical sampling, data analysis will end in autumn 2022. Results from this study will be disseminated via scientific publication, social media, and at national and international conferences.

Conclusions:

This qualitative study will provide important information from parents and health professionals about user perspectives that will inform the development of the NAMIBIO apps.