Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Allergic Rhinitis In Urban Vs. Rural Populations

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Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa elicited by allergens, provoking sneezing, nasal stuffiness and rhinorrhea. It is on the increase worldwide and it occurs more in urban than in rural areas. Environmental, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors are important. Raising awareness about these patterns is useful to recognize preventive measures and to provide care in a proper way. Objectives: To compare prevalence and risk factors of allergy rhinitis between cities and rural areas and evaluate demographic and environmental factors that affected disease distribution, the disease severity and reported symptoms. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: Department of ENT Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. From 05 July 2023 to 05 December 2024 Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 120 participants using urban and rural communities as the two groups of respondents (60 participants each). Participants were asked to compensate outlined forms that measured AR symptoms, environment exposures, and lifestyle. They were diagnosed clinically by using the criteria of the disorder, and were confirmed by allergen sensitization testing. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics, chisquare analysis on categorical variables and independent t-test analysis on continuous variables. A p value of 0.05 was used as a level of statistical significance. Results: The number of included patients was 120 divided into 60 urban and 60 rural patients. The average age in the urban group and in the rural group was 30.6 11.4 years and 34.1 12.1 years, respectively (p = 0.28). General prevalence of AR was higher in the urban (42.5 %) than in the rural (27.0%) group (p = 0.01). Among the risk factors where all urban patients were strongly associated with air pollution exposures, and the rural patients had stronger links with biomass smoke and place of work. History of atopy was a prominent predictor in both the groups (p < 0.05). Urban residents also had stronger symptoms, increased use of medical services, and increased feeling dependence on pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis was also considerably higher in urban people than in rural persons. Reduced environmental microbial exposure and air pollution were significant risk factors in urban patients and traditional exposure to biomass smoking risk in the rural. A cross groups, family history was nonetheless predictive These data points to the necessity of specific preventive measures on specific environmental and lifestyle risks in urban and rural environments.

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