Current Status in Management of Children with Atopic Dermatitis and Knowledge and Practice of Preschool Teachers

Cho, In Sook; Ryu, Se Ang

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe current status in management of children with atopic dermatitis and to examine knowledge and care practices of preschool teachers.
METHODS
A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Knowledge and practice were measured with the questionnaire by Park (2011). Data were analysed using SPSS.WIN 20.0.
RESULTS
Of the teachers, 81.3% managed children with atopic dermatitis depending on parents' needs and 58.9% reported difficulties due to limited knowledge and expressed a need for continuing education and provision of educational guidelines. Preschool teachers had a mean score for knowledge about atopic dermatitis of .75 out of 1 point. Among three domains of knowledge, signs & symptoms had the highest score and management, the lowest. The mean score for care practices for children with atopic dermatitis was 3.4 out of 4 points. Among the four domains of care practices, food had the highest score and dress & bedclothes, the lowest. Knowledge and practice of the teachers were different according to responsibility in management and educational need. The correlation between knowledge and practice was not significant.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that educational programs and strategies should be developed to increase preschool teachers' knowledge and improve care practice for children with atopic dermatitis.