Development of a Questionnaire to Investigate the Level of Awareness of Allergic Rhinitis / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Despite the increasing prevalence of allergic rhinitis, there are difficulties in early diagnosis and proper treatment due to lack of education and misunderstanding of the disease. Development of efficient education materials based on the level of awareness of allergic rhinitis is required. Therefore, this study was aimed to develop a questionnaire for investigating the level of awareness of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Questions related to the level of awareness of allergic rhinitis were prepared on the basis of the literature, professional advice and inquiries from patients and caregivers. These items were categorized into 4 areas (1) basic knowledge, (2) symptoms, (3) diagnosis and environmental management and (4) treatment. Through the eight preliminary survey on 38 adults, a questionnaire of 60 items was developed. The results were analyzed by using SPSS 12.0. RESULTS: A tool for investigating the level of awareness was completed, which was composed of 20 items with an internal reliability of 0.67. According to the results of the survey with 60 items, the areas of basic knowledge, symptoms and environmental management of allergic rhinitis showed high awareness. The items regarding the association between allergic rhinitis and asthma, necessity of regular checkup, awareness of maintenance treatment, importance of treatment with intranasal steroids, and the influence of treatment on immunity, growth and development of patient showed low awareness. CONCLUSION: A reliable tool was developed for investigating the level of awareness of allergic rhinitis. It may be useful in developing educational materials to optimize its educational effect on allergic rhinitis.