The Level of Awareness, Knowledge, and Management of Young Children with Atopic Dermatitis in Kindergarten and Nursery Teachers

Objectives This study aimed to determine the variation in the level of awareness and knowledge of young children with atopic dermatitis in kindergarten and nursery teachers and give basic data to support preschoolers in a healthy living environment. Methods A survey was conducted in 250 incumbent teachers at early childhood education centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province; then, with the exception of insincerely completed questionnaires, 226 copies went through frequency analysis, t-test, and one-way ANOVA using an SPSS 26.0 program. Results The main results of this study are as follows: First, both kindergarten and nursery teachers were poorly aware of young children with atopic dermatitis; both types of centers had homeroom teachers mostly take charge of guidance and management of young children with atopic dermatitis and generally accepted their parents' needs and wanted them to be trained and supported by external professionals. Second, kindergarten teachers had a be-low-average level of knowledge of young children with atopic dermatitis and an above-average level of relevant management. For nursery teachers, the knowledge was at the above-average level and the management was at a high level. Third, as for the differences in the level of knowledge and management of young children with atopic dermatitis between kindergarten and nursery teachers, both variables were at a higher level for the latter. Conclusions It is necessary to expand the target population of research into kindergarten-related infrastructures as well as nurseries and give teacher education about atopic dermatitis in diverse ways so that young children with atopic dermatitis can get positive support in a healthier environment.