Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2014 May;2(2):122-127. 10.4168/aard.2014.2.2.122.

Changing Caregivers' awareness on atopic dermatitis

• Lee KS
• Rha YH
• Choi YS
• Choi SH

• KMID: 2261747
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2014.2.2.122

Abstract

PURPOSE
The objective of this study investigates the change in the awareness of the caregivers of atopic dermatitis (AD)' children, through questionnaires conducted in 2006 and 2013.
METHODS
A questionnaire of 15 items about the diagnosis and management of AD was done to survey a total of 146 caregivers participating in Atopy Friendly School Program in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 2013. A comparison analysis was used to compare the results of the surveys conducted in 2006 and 2013.
RESULTS
Diagnosis of AD by doctor has increased while that by traditional Korean medical (TKM) doctor has decreased, but it was not statistically significant (P=0.07). Self-treatment has increased while the treatment by doctor remained similar. Treatment by TKM doctor has decreased. Overall change in medical institutions was statistically significant (P=0.01). The use of emollient has significantly increased while the use of topical steroid and oral medication has decreased with no statistically significant difference. Food restriction has significantly decreased (P=0.00), but it is still recognized as an important treatment option in 2013. As for the frequency of the emollient use, using it once a day has decreased whereas using it 2-3 times a day has increased, but there was no statistically significant difference.
CONCLUSION
Caregivers' awareness on AD has improved through 2006 to 2013 with the education provided by academic societies and government, but the accurate understanding of the disease still needs improvement. The future education should focus on the selection of appropriate healthcare services as well as the specific self-management strategies.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; Education; Caregivers

MeSH Terms

Caregivers
Child
Delivery of Health Care
Dermatitis, Atopic*
Diagnosis
Education
Humans
Self Care
Seoul
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1 This figure shows the comparison of the percentage of persons who diagnosed atopic dermatitis in 2006 and in 2013, respectively. TKM, traditional Korean medicine. *P-value was not significant in difference of persons who diagnosed atopic dermatitis.

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  Fig. 2 This figure shows the comparison of the percentage of persons who treated atopic dermatitis in 2006 and in 2013, respectively. TKM, traditional Korean medicine. *P-value was significant in difference of persons who treated atopic dermatitis, particularly TKM doctor.

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  Fig. 3 This figure shows the comparison of atopic dermatitis treatment types in 2006 and in 2013, respectively. *P-value was not significant in type of atopic dermatitis's treatment.

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  Fig. 4 This figure shows the comparison of restricted foods for atopic dermatitis treatment in 2006 and in 2013, respectively. *Changing restricted foods was not significant (P=0.34).

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  Fig. 5 This figure shows the comparison of important factors for atopic dermatitis treatment in 2006 and in 2013, respectively. *Important factors for atopic dermatitis treatment was not significant change (P=0.82).

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  Fig. 6 This figure shows the comparison of patterns and times of moisturizer uses in 2006 and in 2013, respectively. *Patterns and times of moisturizer use (a day) are not significantly changed (P=0.07).

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