Abstract: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases has increased globally, and the geographical prevalence rates vary.
Objective: This study was designed to identify the prevalence of allergic rhinitis symptoms among school age children in Jazan Region Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children from elementary and intermediate schools in Jazan region. The study used the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire.
Result: The number of students studied was 1152 the boys were 591 (57.3%) and the girls were 441 (42.7%). The symptoms suggestive of ever-having had AR were common, affecting 25.7% of children overall, with an estimated 19.3% experiencing symptoms of sneezing in the last 12 months. The prevalence of children with parental reports of ever having a clinician diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was 13.1% overall. The prevalence and frequency of symptoms according to the seasons (winter, summer, spring and autumn) was 140 (13.6%), 224 (21.7%), 99 (9.6%) and 37 (3.6%) respectively. The frequency symptoms may involved the nose only, eye only or both was 130 (12.6%), 107 (10.4%) and 108 (10.5%) respectively. According to the severity of symptoms 131 (12.7%) students had nose problem interfere with their daily activities in the last 12 months.
Conclusion: This study found the prevalence of AR among school age children in Jazan was 25.7%, although it is within range of reported prevalence rates from various parts of the world. Only 24.5% of those with AR-related symptoms were confirmed by doctors, they do not consider AR as a disease.
Keywords: prevalence, allergic rhinitis, ISAAC, Jazan region.
Title: Epidemiology of Allergic Rhinitis among Children in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia
Author: Abu Obaida Yassin
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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