Environmental Exposure and Allergic Rhinoconjuctivitis Symptoms among School Children in Prishtina: Beyond Risk Factors

Öz

Objective: Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) has emerged as a significant global public health concern. Affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Environmental pollutants are recognized as major contributing factors in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 in the city of Prishtina, the capital of the Republic of Kosovo. The research evaluated health and lifestyle factors associated with obesity. Respiratory and allergic conditions among school-aged children residing in urban areas. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires completed by parents or legal guardians. Primary data were collected using the Global Asthma Network (GAN) questionnaire based on phases I and III of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

Results: A total of 245 children (f/m = 103/142) participated in the study. The average age of the participants was 13.35 years, with a standard deviation of 0.65, indicating a relatively narrow age average weight of 55.73 kg (σ = 12.02), and the average height was 164.88 cm (σ =39.07). Thirteen point five percent of children reported a history of height FEV and 11.8% had a diagnosis confirmed by a healthcare professional. However, the p-values for height fever and doctor-confirmed diagnosis (p = 0.641 and p = 0.056, respectively) indicate no statistically significant difference. Significant differences by age. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between AR symptoms scores and environmental exposure scores derived from the GAN-ISAAC questionnaire (r = 0.631, p = 0.001). This finding indicates that higher self-reported environmental exposure scores were associated with higher AR symptom scores. Additionally, lifestyle factor (LF) scores were significantly associated with body weight (p = 0.039).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates association between urban air pollutants, particularly those related to vehicular traffic and indoor fuel combustion, and the manifestation of allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Environmental Factors
• Rhinoconjuctivitis allaerica
• Lifestyle factors

Kaynakça

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