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 Table of Contents  
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2017  |  Volume : 11  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 141-147

Knowledge and management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners in Benin City


1 Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
2 Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Nigeria

Date of Submission28-Jun-2017
Date of Acceptance09-Oct-2017
Date of Web Publication1-Aug-2018

Correspondence Address:
Wilson Osaretin Osarogiagbon
Department of Child Health, University of Benin, Benin City
Nigeria
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/phmj.phmj_25_17

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  Abstract 


Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common manifestation of atopy among children, affecting up to 10%–20% of the world's population. Usually presents with rhinorae and sneezing and may co-exist with other allergic conditions like asthma.
Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and appropriateness of management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners in Benin City, Nigeria. To determine physician-related factors that are related to the management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners in Benin City, Nigeria.
Settings and Design: This was descriptive cross-sectional study.
Methods: General practitioners that gave consent and were non-experts were interviewed with the help of a researcher-administered questionnaire. Data generated were analysed using SPSS software version 19.0.
Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics performed and group Chi-square was used to check for the relationship between variables.
Results: Sixty-three (63) general practitioners had complete data, of which 45 were male, 11 were consultants. A total of 50 (79.4%) worked in medical centre, whereas 7 (11.1%) worked in private hospitals. Twenty-nine (46%) of the respondents had practiced for 1–10 years, 19 (30.2%) of the respondents were aged 20–30 years. Twenty-nine (46%) of the respondents had good knowledge of symptoms of allergic rhinitis while 6 (9.5%) had poor knowledge. In terms of differentials, 19 (30.2%) each had very good knowledge and good knowledge, respectively. However, only 2 (3.2%) had very good knowledge of treatment and 9 (14.3%) has good knowledge of treatment. Thirty-six (57.1%) had poor knowledge of treatment.
Conclusions: Despite good knowledge of symptoms and differential diagnosis, the respondents had poor knowledge of standard treatment protocol in the management of allergic rhinitis.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis asthma, co-morbidities, knowledge


How to cite this article:
Osarogiagbon WO, Osaghae D. Knowledge and management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners in Benin City. Port Harcourt Med J 2017;11:141-7

How to cite this URL:
Osarogiagbon WO, Osaghae D. Knowledge and management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners in Benin City. Port Harcourt Med J [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 19];11:141-7. Available from: https://www.phmj.org/text.asp?2017/11/3/141/237881




  Introduction Top


Allergic rhinitis is a common problem among atopic children, it is a global health problem affecting 10%–20% of the population,[1],[2],[3] such children present with chronic symptoms which affect their social life and school performance. Affected children usually present with sudden onset of several bouts of sneezing associated with watery nasal discharge. Many of such children also observe itching of their nostrils which necessitate their frequent touching and squeezing of the nose (allergic salute); this leads to a shining crease on the bridge of the nose.[4],[5],[6] In some cases, some children may not want to touch the nostrils when they experience itching, rather they twist their upper lip from side to side in an attempt to settle the itching, this is called rabbit nosing. Majority of the children also develops redness of the eyes and excessive tearing.[7],[8],[9],[10] These symptoms may be seasonal or may persist all through the year. Allergic rhinitis and asthma are linked by epidemiological, pathological, and physiological characteristics and may sometimes have a common therapeutic approach. They frequently co-exist, and some studies suggest that asthma is found in as many as 15%–38% of patients with allergic rhinitis, while other studies suggest that nasal symptoms are present in at least 75% of patients with asthma, but these estimates vary widely from 6% to 85% depending on the study. Currently, the complete management of allergic rhinitis based on the recommendation of the allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA), is that allergic comorbidities in asthmatics should be properly identified and treated for appropriate control of asthma.

In various centres, however, nasal symptoms of allergy in asthmatics are seen as different manifestations of the same disease rather than two different disease entities co-existing together. The management of the patient depends on the realisation that the patient has two disease conditions that are closely related. In several countries of the world where the ARIA protocol is being religiously followed in the management of allergic conditions, it is a standard practice to screen for symptoms and signs or allergic conditions in every asthmatic patient since achieving proper control of asthma depends on proper management of such co-existing morbidities.

Despite increasing interest in the epidemiological and environmental links between allergic rhinitis and asthma, there is a relative paucity of data in the literature describing the characteristics of asthma in patients with co-existing rhinitis.

Furthermore, it is very likely that when these two conditions co-exist in the same patient, this may only be recognised by experts in tertiary centres, while non-experts may see the presentation as part of the complete picture of allergy and as such address such patient with nasal symptoms like other asthmatics without nasal symptoms. This will grossly affect the quality of life and the degree of control of such asthmatic.

Therefore, it has become important for this study to be done to find the ability of non-experts, especially those in private practice and secondary and tertiary hospitals to clearly diagnose allergic rhinitis when it co-exists with asthma. Based on the result of this survey, there may be a need for an intervention.

This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge and appropriateness of management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners and to determine physician-related factors that are related to the management of allergic rhinitis by general practitioners in Benin City, Nigeria.


  Methods Top


Study location

Benin City is a city and the capital of Edo State in Southern Nigeria. It is situated approximately 40 km north of the Benin River and 320 km by road East of Lagos. Benin City occupies lies on Lat 6[0] 20' 17''N and Log 5[0] 37' 32''E and its 88 m above sea level. Benin City 1204 km [2] with a population of 1496 million.[11]

Study design

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Study duration

This study was carried out from May 2016 to October 2016.

Study population

All general practitioners in Benin City.

Sample size

All general practitioners in Benin City, except those that declined or were experts (therefore, there was no need for randomisation). There also no bias since everybody was to be sampled.

Inclusion criteria

All general practitioners who gave consent and consultant private practitioners that are non-experts in the area of allergy.

Exclusion criteria

General practitioners who are experts in the field of allergy, these include consultant pulmonologist (adult), consultant paediatric pulmonologist and ENT surgeons.

Definition of allergic rhinitis

Participants are diagnosed with having allergic rhinitis if they present with two or more recurrent nasal symptoms such as the excessive and sudden onset of sneezing, nasal itching, watery nasal discharge, nasal congestion or obstruction with or without itching of the eyes with redness and these symptoms resolve spontaneously or following treatment.[12],[13],[14],[15]

Definition of asthma

Asthma is diagnosed if an individual has two or more recurrent asthma symptoms such as a cough, wheezing, chest tightness and symptoms worse at night, or if a physician has objectively diagnosed an individual as asthmatic.[16]

Data collection

The list of private hospitals in Benin City was obtained from the State Ministry of Health, and the city was mapped according to the political wards. All the private hospitals were identified. The hospitals were visited one after the other with the help of research assistants who were employed and trained by the researcher. When a hospital is visited, the aim of this study is explained to the owner if present or the administrator and any doctor working in such a hospital who is not an expert in the area of allergy was interviewed with the help of a questionnaire administered by the researcher or the research assistant.

Statistical analysis

The generated data were entered into the Excel Spreadsheet which was transported into SPSS version 19.0 (IBM Corp: Armonk, NY). Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 19.0. Proportions were computed and compared using Chi-square. Group Chi-square was used to determine the significance of knowledge.

Quality control

There was the double entry of data, and regular supervision of research assistants during data collection and questionnaires was administered only by qualified medical doctors (research assistants).

Ethical consideration

  • Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board
  • Consent was obtained from recruited subjects.



  Results Top


General characteristics of subjects

A total of 63 physicians had complete data and 8 had incomplete data. Out of the 63 physicians, 45 (71.4%) were males, while 18 (28.6%) were females. In terms of rank, 11 (17.5%) were consultants, 15 (23.8%) were senior medical officers, 29 (46.0%) were medical officers, 4 (6.4%) were house officers/NYSC doctors. Registrar was 1 (1.6%), senior registrar were 3 (4.8%). Fifty (59.4%) worked in a medical centre, 7 (11.1%) worked in a private hospital and 6 (9.5%) worked in clinics. Majority of the respondents 29 (46%) had practiced for 1–10 years. In terms of age of respondents, majority of the respondents were aged 20–30 years; 19 (30.2%) [Table 1].
Table 1: General characteristics of subjects

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Knowledge of general practitioners concerning allergic rhinitis

The 63 respondents who had complete data agreed that they knew what allergic rhinitis meant. However, only 27 (42.9%) could correctly define or describe the meaning of allergic rhinitis. In terms of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, 36 (57.1%) had good knowledge. In terms of differential diagnosis, 38 (60.4%) each had very good knowledge and good knowledge respectively. When knowledge of co-morbidities of asthma were considered, 35 (55.5%) had good knowledge. Knowledge of treatment showed that 11 (17.5%) had good knowledge [Table 2].
Table 2: Knowledge of general practitioners concerning allergic rhinitis

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Effect of subjects characteristics on knowledge of allergic rhinitis

As shown in [Table 3]a, when the relationship between the rank and knowledge of definition was tested, 11 (40.7%) of all those who got the definition correctly were medical officers. The Chi-square gave a P value that was not significant (P = 0.537). Considering the years of practice and ability to define allergic rhinitis correctly, majority (13, 48.1%) of those who gave correct definition had practiced for between 1 and 10 years. The Chi-square was not significant (P = 0.366). In terms of age of respondents, majority (8, 29.6%) of those who could correctly define allergic rhinitis was from the age range 20–30 years (P = 0.420). Males had better knowledge of definition than females (P = 0.487). Those from private medical centres also had better knowledge of definition than others (P = 0.503).
Table 3:

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When general characteristics of subject and knowledge of symptoms of allergic rhinitis were cross tabulated, and significant relationship determined, in terms of rank, 17 (47.2%) medical officers had good knowledge (P = 0.745). In terms of years of practice, the majority (55.6%) of those who have practice for between 1 and 10 years had good knowledge of allergic rhinitis. When age was considered, 47.2% of those who had good knowledge were in the age range 20–30 years. This was statistically significant (P = 0.010). 63% of those who had good knowledge were male while 50.9% of those who had good knowledge worked in private medical centres [Table 3]a.

In terms of the knowledge of differentials of allergic rhinitis, majority (62.9%) of those who had good knowledge were also medical officers. Nearly 60.5% of those with good had practiced for 1–10 years, while 39.5% of those with good knowledge were aged 20–30 years. 71.1% of males had good knowledge of differentials and 76.3% of those who had good knowledge of differently worked in private medical centres, none of them had significant P value. In terms of knowledge of comorbidities, 52.9% of those who had good knowledge were medical officers, while 57.1% of those with good knowledge had practiced for 1–10 years. None of these had significant P values. However, 45.7% of those with good knowledge were between 20 and 30 years with a significant P value (P = 0.021). Nearly 71.4% of those who had good knowledge of comorbidities were male, and 74.3% were from private medical centres. None of them have a positive association on the knowledge of comorbidity.

In terms of knowledge of treatment, 30% of that had good knowledge of treatment were senior medical officers, while 27.3% each of those who had practiced from 1 to 10 years, 21–30 years and 31–40 years, respectively, had good knowledge of treatment. However, none of these had a positive association with the knowledge of treatment. In terms of knowledge of treatment and age of respondents, 36.4% each belong to the age group 31–40 and 61–70 years (P = 0.045). This shows a positive association between age and knowledge of treatment. In terms of sex and treatment, 81.8% of those who had good knowledge were male, while 72.7% of those who had good knowledge of treatment were from private medical centres and none of these was significant [Table 3]b.


  Discussion Top


In this study, there was a predominance of the male sex. Furthermore, there were some consultants that were not experts in allergy or its related field. However, the majority of the respondents were medical officers (46.0%) of the total. Majority of the respondents were in the early years of their practice, with those still within 10 years of practice being in majority. One of the respondents was between 41 and 50 years of practice. In line with the above, in terms of age of respondents, the majority of the respondents were in the younger age group 20–30 years, followed by 31–40 years and 51–60 years. This pattern of distribution may suggest early retirement of the respondents or that the older physicians are more into hospital administration rather than active medical practice. Furthermore, expectedly those in medical centres were majority (79.4%). This is the most common arrangement among individual general practitioners.

In this study, all the interviewed respondents agreed that they know what allergic rhinitis means. However, a more detailed evaluation of knowledge of various aspects of allergic rhinitis, did not show a corresponding excellent objective knowledge assessment. For instance, when asked to write down the definition or meaning of allergic rhinitis, majority of the respondents could not correctly define allergic rhinitis. In terms of symptoms, majority had good knowledge while only 7 respondents had very good knowledge. When disease conditions that could mimic allergic rhinitis were considered, majority of the respondents were able to distinguish them from allergic rhinitis. In terms of possible co-morbidities of asthma and allergic rhinitis, majority did not exhibit good knowledge. In this study, the objective assessment of symptoms was the poor majority of respondents could not state the correct, guideline-recommended treatment of allergic rhinitis. The knowledge of physicians concerning the differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was good. Despite this good knowledge of differentials, the knowledge of treatment modalities by respondents was poor. A similar trend has been demonstrated by other workers.[17],[18] In the study, primary doctors showed a low level of information concerning the systemic nature of the allergic disease. There was a marked significant improvement after an update programme. They concluded that physicians needed post-graduate training programme in the index study, the possible determinant of knowledge among physicians were mainly age and years of graduation. The pattern was such that the younger doctors were more conversant with the symptoms and treatment of allergic rhinitis. So also was the years of practice. Those recently graduated were more knowledgeable in both the symptoms and treatment of allergic rhinitis. Only a few of the younger ones and the recently trained could mention the use of intranasal spray corticosteroids and antihistamine in recent protocols used in the management of allergic rhinitis. These two factors were the only ones with significant P values in the group Chi-square test. This pattern is also similar to that reported by other workers;[19],[20] although, it was an assessment of all the allergic diseases. This trend reminds us of the need for frequent post-graduate training programmes for practitioners to improve on their knowledge of allergic conditions. This is even more so with the older ones who may not have had such recent training programme in their medical school days.


  Conclusions Top


The general practitioners play a very important role in the management of allergic rhinitis in our practice locale. The index study reveal that the general practitioners although had good knowledge about the symptoms and differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, their knowledge concerning co-morbidities and standard management protocol is poor. There is lack of knowledge concerning the proper use of medication in patients with allergic rhinitis, especially among the older practitioners. There is, therefore, need for regular post-graduate update training for general practitioners to ensure adherence to standard management protocols.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

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    Tables

  [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]



 

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