Background: Allergic rhinitis and asthma are common disorders that often go undetected in the primary-care setting. As no local study was available for northern regions, we carried out the study to estimate the prevalence of allergic manifestations of rhinitis and bronchial asthma and risk factors of asthma.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study invited 450 male students from three high schools in Skaka, Aljouf, KSA. Of all, 380 responded to a self-administered Arabic questionnaire with a response rate of 84.4%. Data inquired age, academic year, exposure to animals, smoking status, present and family history of allergy, and manifestations of allergy of skin, eye, nosopharynx, and chest. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed if two or more manifestations were present. Asthma was diagnosed if wheezes or cough occurred at night or with physical activity that may be precipitated by infection, exposure to dust, or pollens or smokes.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 16.9 years. Of all, 13.2% were current smokers, 6.1% ex-smokers, and passive smokers represented 46.3%. Family history of allergy was given by 35%, while previous diagnosis of allergy was given by 99 (26.1%). Allergic rhinitis was found in 33.2%, asthma in 37.4%. Of all asthmatic, 49.3% had allergic rhinitis, 21.6% had allergic conjunctivitis, 8.9% skin itching and rash. The number of daily cigarettes and duration of smoking were significantly associated with asthma, while raising animals showed no such association.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and smoking among secondary school students in Aljouf region, despite the effort paid by the Ministry of Health to improve asthma awareness and promote best practices in its management. This urges the need for a comprehensive and sustained program for early diagnosis and appropriate management of asthma and allergy among adults.
Key words: Bronchial asthma, allergic, rhinitis, student, Aljouf, KSA.
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