RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and factors associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) in the priest and novices who came for treatment in Priest Hospital MATERIAL AND METHOD: The retrospective study of 110 priests with allergic rhinitis was conducted between January 2006 to June 2007. Questionnaire about allergic history, eosinophile count, prick and intradermal skin test were done. RESULTS: Most of the priests with the first manifestation of allergic rhinitis were in the age between 14 to 66 years with mean of 28.93 years. Specific factors related to allergic rhinitis were house dust (87.3%), animal dandruff (40.9%), pollen (35.5%) and insects (20%). Allergens that had positive skin test were house dust mite (54.4%), dog dandruff (50%), house dust (48.2%), Bermuda grass (44.5%), Sedge (42.7%), and Para grass (39.1%). Non-specific factors which induced rhinitis symptoms were joss stick (56.8%) and smoke (51.8%). CONCLUSION: All of the factors both the specific and non specific were associated with AR. Future clinical management guidelines for AR must take into account from the results of this study. Such guidelines must promote relief from allergen exposure, emotional burden and the negative impact on daily activities. Health education to the priests to eradicate allergen from their living place and maintain strong partnership with healthcare professionals for sustainable result.