TY - JOUR AU - Iqubal, Dr. S. M. Shakeel PY - 2022/06/15 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - A Cross-Section Survey Assessment Study on the Prevalence of Knowledge and Awareness toward the Attitude on the Severity of Food Allergy among the Saudi Population of Jeddah Region JF - Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics (AJP) JA - AJP VL - 16 IS - 2 SE - ORIGINAL ARTICLES DO - 10.22377/ajp.v16i2.4388 UR - https://asiapharmaceutics.info/index.php/ajp/article/view/4388 SP - AB - <p>Introduction: Food Allergy (FA) is an adverse immune reaction triggered by a specific food antigen. It can be<br>immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated or non-IgE-mediated, or mixed. FA is a common life-threatening condition that<br>can affect families’ well-being. We conducted our study based on a study done in the Al-Taif city, Saudi Arabia. This<br>study aimed to measure and raise awareness regarding the causes, severity, and symptoms of FA in Jeddah, Saudi<br>Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2060 participants. Data were collected<br>through a self-reported modified questionnaire, randomized, online-based questionnaire, and direct interview with the<br>campaign’s participants, which were performed from October 2019 to November 2019. The designed questionnaire<br>encompassed demographic information such as age, gender, and educational level and ten comprehensive questions<br>regarding FA. Results and Discussion: Most subjects had a FA (65.6%). The FA was mostly to eggs (46.3%), then<br>seafood (30.4%), dairy foods (21.2%), and nuts (20.3%). Moreover, most allergy symptoms were moderate (52.6%),<br>while severe was (13.1%). Most allergy symptoms were itching (57.7%) followed by dyspnea (36.2%) body swelling<br>(26.5%). Regarding the awareness score range from 0 to 6, with 0 being the lowest score, and 6 being the highest<br>score, the participants who had terrible scores were significantly higher than those with adequate scores. Subjects<br>with food allergies had a more adequate awareness score than those without food allergies (47.7% vs. 13. 1%).<br>Conclusion: A health education program about food allergies should be designed and conducted to educate our<br>population about food allergies, treatment options, severity, and possible causes. It is also recommended to have a<br>national day in Saudi Arabia to educate the population about food allergies, especially mothers and children.</p> ER -