The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in college students at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) - Nairobi

Abstract

Background Allergic rhinitis is one of the commonest atopic diseases world wide yet its epidemiology in Kenya remains sparse. Currently, there is only one questionnaire based study (ISAAC) in children documented The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in K.MTC students, aged 18-50 years. The other objectives included: to determine the severity, pattern of symptomatology and the common aeroallergcns involved in the group thus studied. The study was done in two steps. In stage 1, using a stratified random sampling, 423 students were screened for symptoms of allergic rhinitis based on ICR definition of rhinitis. In stage 2. the positive respondents (63 Students) were subjected to a physical examination and skin prick test to confirm allergic rhinitis. A point prevalence rate of 13% was reported with no sex or age predilection in the group thus studied. 81.8% of the students with allergic rhinitis had their daily activity affected to a certain degree. Sneezing (83.6%) was the commonest symptom and hypertrophied inferior turbinates (70.9%) the commonest physical finding. Patients with intermittent disease (73%) were the most, average age of onset was 15.2 years, seasonal peaks were in January, July and December and 36% of the students with allergic rhinitis had a family history of atopy. The commonest aeroallergen was the house dust mite (76.4%) and the least was Aspergillus Niger (1.8%). Allergic rhinitis affects a significant proportion of the adult population with symptoms which have an impact on the lifestyles of these patients. The common aeroallergens are found within our immediate surroundings e.g. house dust mite, which can be controlled if patients are educated and proper, cheap environmental control measures are instituted. Objective Method Results Conclusion