J Agric Med Community Health.  2015 Sep;40(3):148-157. 10.5393/JAMCH.2015.40.3.148.

Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis between Urban and Rural Residents in a Local Community

• Choi BK
• Lim HS
• Chung YS

• KMID: 2177970
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2015.40.3.148

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis between urban areas in the adjacent areas to a steel industrial complex and rural areas and the impact of pollutants in the industrialized city on allergic rhinitis.
METHODS
From July 28 to August 9 of 2008, 1,043 residents of urban and rural areas in a local community had enrolled in health screening and questionnaire survey. One thousand thirty-three patients also underwent a skin prick test. Prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis were calculated according to residential areas, and the used statistical analysis were Fisher's exact test and chi-square test.
RESULTS
In a survey, the fraction of adults, who complained of sneezing, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea, during a recent 1 year period, showed the significant difference between urban (30.5%) and rural areas (22.4%). The fractions of positive skin prick tests were not different between two areas in each age group. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 8.4% in urban areas and 6.9% in rural areas. Considering the age groups, the adults group only showed the significantly higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis in urban areas (8.2% vs. 3.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
Unlike the children and adolescents groups, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in adults group was higher in the industrialized urban areas.

Keyword

Allergic rhinitis; Prevalence; Skin tests

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Humans
Mass Screening
Nasal Obstruction
Prevalence*
Rhinitis*
Skin
Skin Tests
Sneezing
Steel
Steel