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Allergic rhinitis and its associated co-morbidities among patients attending the ENT department at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Northern Tanzania: Cross sectional study.
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  • Kenneth Mlay,
  • Gasper Temba,
  • Adrian Matasha,
  • Pendael Mzonge,
  • Denis Katundu,
  • Desderius Chussi
Kenneth Mlay
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College

Corresponding Author:mlaykenneth43@gmail.com

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Gasper Temba
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
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Adrian Matasha
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
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Pendael Mzonge
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
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Denis Katundu
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
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Desderius Chussi
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College
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Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis is the specific inflammation against allergen by immune defense cells on nasal mucosa, which can lead to chronic nasal symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion. it is associated with high morbidities including sinusitis, asthma, otitis media, hypertrophied inferior turbinate and nasal polyp. Despite its complications, it remains poorly recognized and tracked. Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was done, a total of 221 patients received ORL services at Kilimanjaro Christian medical Centre during study period were interviewed all patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were captured; Data was collected using a pre-tested coded questionnaire (SFAR) The data was then analyzed by SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 221 patients with clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis were approached in Six (6) months study period, 111 (50.2%) were females, 140 (63.4%) were residing in urban areas. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 23.9%. Factors such as age OR 0.12, 95% C.I (0.03; 0.40), education OR 0.13, 95% C.I (0.04; 0.44), occupation OR 3.75, 95% C.I (1.36; 10.32), Adenotonsillar hypertrophy OR 4.66, 95% C.I (2.21; 9.80) and OME OR 4.11, 95% C.I (1.32; 12.83) (p=0.009) was found to be significantly associated with allergic rhinitis. 60.4%, Inferior turbinate hypertrophy was the leading co-morbidity of allergic rhinitis which accounts 64.7%. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis is among the common health problems affecting Tanzanians. It is a commonly seen disorder in younger age (<15 yrs) which is in correlation with other studies done in Africa and worldwide.
25 Aug 2023Submitted to Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
29 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
29 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
10 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Feb 20241st Revision Received
21 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
22 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
05 Aug 20243rd Revision Received
06 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
06 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
06 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
03 Sep 20244th Revision Received
06 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
06 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
06 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned