Development and Validation of the Air Quality Awareness Scale (AQAS) for Parents

Development and Validation of the Air Quality Awareness Scale (AQAS) for Parents of Children With Allergic Diseases: A Cross-sectional Study

This cross-sectional study aims to assess the level of awareness, knowledge, and preventive behaviors regarding air quality and air pollution among parents of children with physician-diagnosed allergic respiratory diseases (asthma and/or allergic rhinitis). The survey will evaluate parents' understanding of air pollution effects, sources, and protective measures, as well as sociodemographic and clinical correlates influencing awareness.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Rhinitis, Allergic; Parents; Air Pollution; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Air Quality; Asthma (Diagnosis); Health Belief Model
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Air Quality Knowledge Questionnaire

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 500

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Şişli
    • Istanbul, Şişli, Turkey (Türkiye), 34384
      • Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of parents or primary caregivers of children aged 2 to 18 years who have been clinically diagnosed with allergic airway diseases, specifically asthma and/or allergic rhinitis, by a pediatric allergy specialist.

Participants will be recruited from the outpatient Pediatric Allergy Clinic of a tertiary healthcare center.

All participants must be able to read and understand Turkish and voluntarily provide written informed consent.

The survey targets approximately 500 parents, representing diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, to evaluate knowledge, awareness, and behaviors related to air quality and pollution.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parent or primary caregiver of a child aged 2-18 years
• Child has a physician-diagnosed asthma and/or allergic rhinitis
• Able to read and understand Turkish
• Provides informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parents of children with other chronic respiratory or systemic diseases
• Parents who are healthcare professionals (to avoid bias)
• Incomplete survey responses

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Parents of Children with Allergic Airway Diseases; This cohort includes parents or primary caregivers of children aged 2-18 years who have been clinically diagnosed with allergic airway diseases (asthma and/or allergic rhinitis) by a pediatric allergy specialist. Participants will complete a structured questionnaire assessing their awareness, knowledge, and preventive behaviors regarding air pollution and air quality.

Behavioral: Air Quality Knowledge Questionnaire; A structured, self-administered questionnaire on air quality and pollution will be provided to all participants. The survey consists of a total of 23 main items and an additional demographic information section. The demographic section collects data on parent's age, gender, education level, occupation, and the child's age, gender, diagnosis (asthma and/or allergic rhinitis), and disease duration. The main questionnaire includes: 5 items assessing knowledge of air pollution and air quality concepts;; 10 items measuring awareness of air pollution sources, health impacts, and environmental conditions;; 8 items evaluating attitudes and protective behaviors toward air pollution (e.g., monitoring air quality index, modifying outdoor activities, using indoor air filters). Responses are based on a Likert-type scale. The tool is designed to quantify parental understanding, awareness, and preventive practices related to air quality in the context of childhood allergic airway diseases.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Level of Parental Knowledge and Awareness About Air Quality	The primary outcome is the overall score obtained from the Air Quality Knowledge and Behavior Questionnaire, reflecting parents' knowledge and awareness regarding air quality and air pollution. The composite score will be derived from the 5 knowledge and 10 awareness items, each rated on a Likert scale (e.g., 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher total scores indicate greater knowledge and awareness of air pollution, its sources, and its health effects.	At baseline (single survey administration)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 2, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 2, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 15, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 17, 2026
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Immune System Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Nose Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Rhinitis; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Asthma; Disease; Rhinitis, Allergic; Behavior
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025-654789651231

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared publicly because the dataset contains potentially identifiable information collected from a limited number of participants at a single center.

Only aggregated, de-identified summary data will be included in publications and presentations.

The study protocol and statistical analysis plan may be shared upon reasonable request from qualified researchers, following approval by the principal investigator and the institutional ethics committee.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No