Research Article

Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy

Volume: 23 Number: 1 March 27, 2026
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Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy

Abstract

Background: House dust mite (HDM) allergy is a significant public health problem affecting both children and adults. Adherence to environmental control measures varies among patients. This study aimed to evaluate compliance with mite avoidance measures in the homes of families with HDM allergy.

Materials and Methods: This study included families of 203 children [132 boys, 71 girls; median age, 9.6 years; interquartile range (IQR), 6-13 years] with HDM allergy. Data on demographics, home environment, and adherence to HDM avoidance measures were collected through questionnaires. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the presence of concomitant cat or pollen allergy, duration of HDM allergy, and sex.

Results: High adherence was observed for low-cost, simple measures, including daily ventilation of the child's room (98%), storage of clothes in closed closets (96.6%), and weekly washing of bed linens at 60°C (93.6%). In contrast, adherence was lower for more costly resource-intensive measures, such as dust mite–proof bedding (41.9%) and complete carpet removal (12.3%). Vacuuming frequency increased significantly after diagnosis (median, 3 to 7 days a week; p<0.001). Notably, 26.1% of families lacked knowledge about mite-proof bedding and 11.3% about HEPA-filter vacuum cleaners. Discontinuation of carpets and curtains was more common in patients with a disease duration longer than 12 months. Educational brochures provided by the clinic were reported to be helpful by 83.7% of families.

Conclusions: Families of children with HDM allergy demonstrate high adherence to simple, low-cost avoidance measures, particularly bedroom-related interventions. However, cost and limited awareness remain key barriers to the adoption of more intensive, resource-intensive strategies.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Bursa City Hospital Scientific Research Ethics Committee (approval no: 2025-2/7, date: January 22, 2025).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pediatric Immunology and Allergic Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 27, 2026

Submission Date

February 3, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 1

APA
Karalı, Z., Karalı, Y., Çekiç, Ş., & Budak, H. N. (2026). Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, 23(1), 147-159. https://doi.org/10.35440/hutfd.1880677
AMA
1.Karalı Z, Karalı Y, Çekiç Ş, Budak HN. Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;23(1):147-159. doi:10.35440/hutfd.1880677
Chicago
Karalı, Zuhal, Yasin Karalı, Şükrü Çekiç, and Hasan Nasuhi Budak. 2026. “Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients With House Dust Mite Allergy”. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi 23 (1): 147-59. https://doi.org/10.35440/hutfd.1880677.
EndNote
Karalı Z, Karalı Y, Çekiç Ş, Budak HN (March 1, 2026) Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi 23 1 147–159.
IEEE
[1]Z. Karalı, Y. Karalı, Ş. Çekiç, and H. N. Budak, “Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy”, Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 147–159, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.35440/hutfd.1880677.
ISNAD
Karalı, Zuhal - Karalı, Yasin - Çekiç, Şükrü - Budak, Hasan Nasuhi. “Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients With House Dust Mite Allergy”. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi 23/1 (March 1, 2026): 147-159. https://doi.org/10.35440/hutfd.1880677.
JAMA
1.Karalı Z, Karalı Y, Çekiç Ş, Budak HN. Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;23:147–159.
MLA
Karalı, Zuhal, et al. “Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients With House Dust Mite Allergy”. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 1, Mar. 2026, pp. 147-59, doi:10.35440/hutfd.1880677.
Vancouver
1.Zuhal Karalı, Yasin Karalı, Şükrü Çekiç, Hasan Nasuhi Budak. Assessment of Adherence to House Dust Mite Avoidance Strategies in Patients with House Dust Mite Allergy. Harran Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Mar. 1;23(1):147-59. doi:10.35440/hutfd.1880677

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