Abstract

STUDY ON ALLERGY TRIGGERING FACTORS IN UNIVERSITY GOING STUDENTS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Farah-Saeed*, Mansoor Ahmad, Syed Mahboob Alam, Dnyanesh Limaye, Christina Mhaske and Kausar Perveen

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study prevalence and pattern of allergy symptoms among young males and females Pharm D and medical students. Method: A prospective cross sectional study was designed based on validated survey questionnaire. Present study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan and subjects were Pharm D and medical students of age group 22-25 years. The study protocol was approved by independent ethical committee of University of Karachi, Karachi-Pakistan. Out of 1050, 1025 (97.61%) questionnaires were returned. The students included in study were 4th and 5th year Pharmacy students. Results: The study revealed significant results. 95% of the population included in study suffered from various allergy symptoms due environmental pollutants along with substance abuse. Conclusion: In Karachi population, usually the causes of allergy are environmental pollution including dust, diesel and smoke, food, nylon clothing, poly vinyl chloride shoes, unhygienic conditions and genetically hypersensitivity towards changes in weather. Immune enhancer and inhibiting herbs are useful in the treatment of allergic conditions.

Keywords: recurrent throat infection, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, allergic rhinitis.