Degree of fear of needles and preferred allergy immunotherapy treatment among children with allergic rhinitis: caregiver survey results.

ABSTRACT: A child's fear of needles may impact the preferred route of allergy immunotherapy (AIT) when choosing between subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). A survey was conducted to understand caregiver health-seeking behavior for children with allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis (AR/C) and explore if fear of needles impacted AIT decisions. Caregivers of children ages 5-17 years with AR/C were recruited from the Dynata US research panel to participate in an online survey from May-June 2023. The survey received institutional review board exemption status. SLIT-tablets were described as "under-the-tongue tablets". About a third (34%) of surveyed caregivers (n = 437) reported their child had a severe fear of needles and 47% reported moderate fear.

SUBMITTER: Rance K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11327818 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature