| Abstract [eng] |
Research aim: To asses the life quality of children allergic to food Methods: A questionnaire, based on international project EuroPrevall, was prepared for the investigation in 2008-2009 ( November-February). Applying a convenience sampling, 150 mothers were interviewed in Vilnius Antakalnio Hospital ( The National Centre of Allergology) in line with mothers nursing their children allergic to food in “Pušyno kelias“ sanatorium. To achieve aims and objectives an epidemiologic study was carried out.The latter could be illustrated by the questionnaire data. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using SPSS 14.0 as well as Microsoft Excel programme. The frequency of food allergy is indicated by percentage, reliability coefficient is ( PI) 95% .A chi-square test for goodness of fit of an observed distribution to a theoretical one, and of independence of two criteria of classification of qualitative data. A statistically significant evidence is considered to be p<0.05 Results: The majority of respondents claimed that their ( mothers‘)health was quite good. This can be shown by 33,3% . A small proportion ( 4%) of those interviewed claimed that their health is good. Although 7.3% pointed out that their health was poor. Added to this a significant number of mothers declared that their children‘s health was poor which can be illustrated by 32.7%, whereas only 1.3% of respondents think that their children‘s health is not so good and very poor 0.7% respectively. Better health is thought to have mothers rather than their allergic children. Besides this biased health assessment does not depend on mothers‘ age and gender. ( p<0.05). Children allergic to food are not allowed to drink milk 61.3%, a substantial number of them are allergic to eggs 60.7%, and 44.0%, should beware of fish. However allergy to sesame makes up 16,7% and vegetables -14.0% of those interviewed. The most prevailing food allergies do not depend on gender. This can be illustrated by a statistically significant evidence p<0.05 for both boys and girls as well. Allergy to diary products is 81.8% and 63.4% at the age of 0-1 and 3-6 years old respectively. Children aged 1-3 years old are bound to be allergic to eggs, this can be shown by 76.5%. Besides fish allergy in 6-12 children can be indicated by 80.9%. There is a statistically significant evidence (p<0.05) among those groups. The allergic reactions that have an acute onset in children include redness 70.0%, skin itching 69.3%, active ecsema 38.6%, angioedema 34.0% and hives 26.0%.The least frequent symptoms embrace dizziness as well as inability to stand 0.7%. The tendency of allergic reactions among boys and girls is quite similar. Due to allergy utter physicall exaustion is typical of 67.3% children.The majority of mothers approve that their child‘s allergy causes stress which is illustrated by 98.7%. Mothers‘ anxiety for child‘s physical health and emotional well-being can be shown by 95.3% and 90.7% respectively. Even 60.0% of respondents claimed that their child was anxious about his/her disease. Those children who are uneasy about testing new products can be illustrated by 61.3% of those interviewed. In addition, to this even 79.5% of children are afraid of eating an allergic ingredient by chance. The mothers consider that their children are disappointed by diet restrictions.( 60.7%). Being a limited child because of disease may cause disillusionment for 60.7% of respondents. Even being more cautious than his/her peersis a characteristic quality for those children in allergy. This can be shown by 75.3%. Conclusions: The research, aimed at assessing life‘s quality of children with food allergies, has never been conducted in Lithuania. Based on the research data, food allergy is a vital issue, for this reason, it is necessary to develop scientific research in Lithuania. In particular,those oriented at assesing life‘s quality of children with food allergies. |
