Importance of educational intervention and parental knowledge on atopic dermatitis in children

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing, inflammatory skin disease. Failure to treat AD successfully can often be directly linked to poor treatment adherence as a result of the lack of information about the disease and basic principles of treatment. Several studies have found that making patients active participants in their care through information and education is a successful treatment strategy in AD. The aim of this study was to evaluate parental knowledge on AD and to stress the importance of therapeutic educational program in long term management and control of the disease. We carried out a short questionnaire-based study among 238 parents of children with AD regarding their knowledge on the etiology and treatment of AD. Our results showed that 21% of the participants reported corticophobia and were concerned about systemic absorption affecting the child's growth and development even after short application. In children with AD who have food hypersensitivity, 14% of parents thought that a small amount of food allergen could be beneficial in achieving tolerability. The role of interdisciplinary educational program is to explain the epidemiology and pathogenesis of AD, as well as concomitant atopy related diseases and to teach parents about the importance of appropriate skin care.