DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2019.v07i01.034

Pages: 193-196

Rhinitis has been stated as the most frequent respiratory disease worldwide, in which allergic rhinitis is the most one. Allergic rhinitis is an Ig-E mediated hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa characterized by clear nasal discharge, nasal pruritus, and sneezing as a result of allergen sensitization. Bakery workers are some of the most vulnerable jobs exposed to allergens, such as large quantities of flour and milk protein. Allergic rhinitis is a serious problem that can hinder a person’s work productivity and eventually causing financial instability but the study that discusses this phenomenon and its risk factor such as family history are still scarce. Purpose: To find out the relation between family history of allergy and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in bakery workers. Methods: This is an analytic -observational study using cross-sectional study in 30 bakery workers in 14 bakeries (12 local/conventional and 2 modern bakeries) in Manado, Indonesia between October to November 2018. This study uses ARIA questionnaire as allergic rhinitis diagnostic instrument, while a simple questionnaire is used to look for family history of allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food or drug allergy. Results: Thirty bakery workers have been selected in this study randomly, consisted of 18 males and 12 females. It was found that 30% of bakery workers have family history of allergy and 16,7% of them have allergic rhinitis. Statistical analysis using Fisher’s Exact test showed p = 0,032 (p < 0,05 for 95% CI). Male had a slightly higher percentage of allergic rhinitis than female (male = 27,78%; female = 25%), but the difference is not statistically significance (p = 1.00). The 36-45 years old age category showed highest percentage of allergic rhinitis (41,67%) among other age categories.