A questionnaire-based survey to assess knowledge and attitude regarding food allergy among public and food allergic patients in Makkah region, Saudi Arabia: A comparison study

Background: This study compares knowledge and attitude regarding food allergy (FA)-a growing global problem-among the general population and FA patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including the public in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. Participants were contacted via social media to participate in a 22-item self-administrated questionnaire survey about FA between April and June 2021. Data were collected in Excel documents and analyzed using SPSS. Results: The study included 487 participants: 397 from the general population; 90 FA patients. FA patients (65.6%) possessed better FA knowledge compared to the general population (49.9%) with reported statistical significance (P=0.007). Knowledge was most vital regarding symptoms and severity among both study groups. Females and younger participants possessed better FA knowledge (P<0.001). Both FA patients (81.1%) and the general population (72.0%) revealed a positive attitude. Female gender and high school/diploma education level were significantly associated with a positive attitude: P=0.014, 0.018, respectively. Conclusions: Both groups exhibited insufficient FA knowledge, but a positive attitude. Therefore, FA awareness programs are crucial to mitigate FA risks and complications.