Caregivers Knowledge of Allergic Rhinitis and Its Home Remedies among Preschool Children

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR), as a respiratory inflammatory disease, constitutes a complex immunological response in the nasal mucous membranes. Home remedies mean a non-medical treatment to attempt to cure or treat an ailment with common household items or foods. Aim: To assess caregivers knowledge of allergic rhinitis and its home remedies among preschool children. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional research design. Sample: A simple random sample consisted of 318 caregivers and their children with signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Settings:The current study was carried out at a patient's pediatric clinic at the Obstetric and Pediatric University Hospital at Minia City. Tools: Data was gathered using three tools: (Tool I) was a structured interview questionnaire that consisted of two parts: part (1) socio-demographic characteristics for caregivers; part (2) socio-demographic characteristics for children. (Tool II) Knowledge of caregivers regarding allergic rhinitis. (Tool III) Caregivers practice questionnaire regarding home remedies for allergic rhinitis. Results: The current study revealed that 41.8% of the studied sample's age ranged from >28 to 38 years, with a mean age of 30.93 ± 6.822, 81.8% of them were female, 57.2% of the studied sample had poor knowledge, and 70.1% of them had poor practice toward home remedies for allergic rhinitis. Conclusion: This study showed poor knowledge and practice toward allergic rhinitis among the studied sample, there was a strong positive correlation between the total score of knowledge and the total score of practices of the studied sample toward allergic rhinitis. Recommendations: Conduct an educational program for all caregivers to spread the AR knowledge because they are the first handler of disease to help in early prevention and management of it.