Aerobiology matters: AusPollen partnership pre and post grass pollen season surveys of why community members access pollen information and how they use it

Introduction: Many national pollen monitoring networks provide allergy
patients with daily pollen information, but there is limited data on uses
and benefits. This research aimed to assess why individuals in community
access pollen information, how they use it, and the perceived benefits.
Method: Pre- and post-pollen season surveys (2017–2018 and 2018–2019)
inquired about symptoms, diagnoses, symptom management, access, benefits,
and usefulness of pollen information provided by the AusPollen Partnership.
Deductive and inductive thematic analyses were used to derive
meaning from codes referenced in text responses in surveys conducted over
two grass pollen seasons, before and after each of these seasons, and
between respondents with and without access to pollen information provided
by AusPollen, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
Results: Surveys were completed 4044 times by 3604 individuals who
mostly reported experiencing severe, frequent allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Local AusPollen information was accessible to 84.6% of participants and
was reportedly used for purposes of preparation and planning (34.6%),
referring to activities (32.9%), and medication decisions (28.2%). When
asked the reasons why people accessed pollen information were preparation
and planning (21.3%), medication decisions (19.1%), activities (14.0%),
and risk or forecast (17.9%). When asked how pollen information helped,
similar themes emerged, and in addition, 16.1% mentioned safety for themselves
and others who they care for (e.g. children). Reported medication use
did not differ between those with or without access to pollen information,
nor pre- and post-pollen season, nor between years surveyed. Suggestions
for improvement included extended duration (16.4%), wider geographic
range (13.5%), and 17.2% wanted information on pollen other than grass.
Conclusion: There was a perceived need for localised and timely pollen
information by people with pollen allergy and asthma. Responses
suggested this helped inform behaviours linked to allergen avoidance, but
further education on strategies to control allergic rhinitis are needed to
support patient self-management.