Assessment of Awareness and Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in North Bihar, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is an IgE (Immunoglobulin-E) mediated immunological response of nasal mucosa characterized by watery nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, sneezing and itching in the nose. AR is hazardous diseases rising at a very fast rate. Increase in knowledge and complications regarding AR expected to have a better outcome of the disease. Objective: The study was cross-sectional type, planned in north Bihar to assess the awareness and diagnosis about AR, and includes 600 participants. Method Demographic data and knowledge of participants on various aspects of AR were collected by a well-prepared questionnaire asking from patients of ENT Department during January 2025 to December 2025. Nasal cytology was taken from the inferior turbinate from the selected patient. Results: Diagnosis was based on symptom and nasal eosinophilia in cytology of nasal smear. It was found that 39.83% of participants had knowledge of AR. Only 10.67% knew that Allergic rhinitis was caused by insufficient antihistamines.73.67% of respondents did not know any Allergic rhinitis symptoms. 61% of respondents did not know how this disease can be prevented. 88.33% of respondents did not have any idea about the complication of Allergic Rhinitis. This study indicated that awareness of Allergic rhinitis was very poor, especially in subjects with low education. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is an urgent requirement of different strategies like Allergic Rhinitis health campaigns, issuing pamphlets of information about AR, public speaking sessions, etc. to spread awareness among the general population.