Using the Person-Based Approach to develop a web-based intervention to support the early introduction of food allergens to prevent food allergies in infants

Abstract

Background: about 5% of UK preschool children have food allergies. These may be lifelong and, in some cases, life-threatening. Forty years ago, babies were introduced to solid foods at around 3-4 months of age. Healthcare professionals (HCP) then began recommending that solids be delayed until six months to promote exclusive breastfeeding. Recent research shows that food allergies may be prevented by introducing food allergens from four months, when an infant is developmentally ready. In these studies breastfeeding was not interrupted, where this was recorded, and nutritional and growth outcomes were not adversely affected. This project is developing a digital behaviour change intervention to support parents/carers/HCPs with the early introduction of food allergens at 17 weeks when an infant shows development readiness.

Methods: a Person-Based Approach is being used, alongside theoretical and evidenced understandings of relevant target user behaviours, to develop content suited to them. This involves developing ‘guiding principles’ and conducting interviews with parents/carers and HCPs. Views and experiences are systematically coded and analysed to identify recurrent themes. Interviews are ongoing and will conclude in February 2025.

Results: insights from interviews are being acquired regarding barriers and facilitators to implementing the early introduction of food allergens. Completed interviews with parents/carers show that barriers revolve around anxiety, practical concerns, and current advice from HCPs. HCPs report not being familiar with recent evidence, discomfort with providing advice that conflicts with national guidelines, and not feeling sufficiently trained to confidently advise on early introduction of food allergens.

Conclusions and implications: these findings, along with existing theory and evidence about user context and experience, are closely guiding intervention development. We also reflect on the benefits and challenges of the approach and outline the next steps for the project. This includes a cluster parallel group feasibility trial and a large multi-centre trial across the UK.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Sebastien Pollet: orcid.org/0000-0001-9924-9225

ORCID for Sam Hornsey: orcid.org/0000-0003-1521-248X

ORCID for Miriam Santer: orcid.org/0000-0001-7264-5260

ORCID for Graham Roberts: orcid.org/0000-0003-2252-1248

ORCID for Ben Ainsworth: orcid.org/0000-0002-5098-1092

ORCID for Ingrid Muller: orcid.org/0000-0001-9341-6133

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