Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its related factors in primary school students in Zahedan, in 2019

The prevalence of Allergy Rhinitis (AR) has increased dramatically among children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of AR symptoms among school‐age children in Zahedan, southeast of Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 1600 primary school girls and boys were selected and examined by multistage random sampling. Data were collected and completed using the International ISAAC (International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) questionnaire including demographic questions and risk factors through interviews with parents, especially the studentchr('39')s mother. The data were analyzed in SPSS19 software using chi-square test and multiple logistic regression.

The prevalence of current AR and Rhinoconjunctivitis among elementary school Children was 15.3% and 10.2% respectively. The prevalence of current AR was not statistically significant in girls with 14.2% and boys with 16.4% (p>0.05). Co-morbidity with asthma and eczema was 27.3% and 28%, respectively. The occurrence of AR was related to BMI, family size, snoring father, type of heating and cooking (p<0.05).

The prevalence of AR in Zahedan is relatively high due to the special climatic conditions and geographical climate of the region. Overweight in students and the use of fire for cooking and heating the house is an effective factor in the prevalence of AR in children, which can be eliminated by reducing the prevalence of this disease. However, the mothers have most important role in screening and early diagnosis of AR in school children regarding determinants in this study.