Knowledge and awareness about food allergies among mothers with food allergic Saudi children in Al-Madinah Al-Munawara Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background/Objectives Food allergies are an increasing global health concern and a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Parental awareness is vital, as parents play a key role in preventing and managing food-induced reactions. This study aimed to assess food allergy knowledge and awareness among mothers of food-allergic Saudi children in Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, including the most common allergens, factors associated with developing food allergies, and overall maternal awareness. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 mothers having children suffering from food allergies using a structured electronic questionnaire. FA cases confirmed through IgE testing and skin prick tests. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics, knowledge, awareness, and allergy manifestations, while chi-squared tests examined associations between variables. Results From 1,000 mothers screened, 260 with children diagnosed with food allergies were enrolled in the study. A large proportion of participating mothers held university degrees, reflecting a relatively high educational level. Most were employed in governmental positions, followed by housewives and private-sector workers. Peanuts (41%) were the most common allergenic food, followed by nuts (32%), bananas (24%), shrimp (23%), sesame (19%), eggs (17%), milk (16%), strawberries (13%), and fish (10%). Less common allergens included chocolate (10%), wheat (9%), and mango (6%). Reported allergy manifestations involved skin, respiratory, ocular, nasal, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Most (89.2%) saw avoidance of allergenic foods as the key preventive measure, while only 23.1% received advice on daily medication. Most (76.9%) were not advised by their child’s doctor to introduce allergenic foods earlier. The majority of mothers (68.5%) relied on multiple information sources, often informal. Social media (13.5%) was the most cited source, followed by friends/family (5.0%), doctors (6.5%), dietitians (4.6%), and books (1.9%). Maternal age and higher education level were significantly associated with better food allergy knowledge ( p < 0.001). Conclusion This study highlights mothers’ knowledge of food allergies in Al-Madinah Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia, revealing some understanding but notable knowledge gaps. Health education programs are recommended to improve awareness, correct misconceptions, and help prevent anaphylaxis in children.