Prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a rural area of Settat, Morocco

We evaluated the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a rural population of Settat and its relationship with intestinal parasitosis and living conditions. The sample comprised 336 subjects living in 3 clusters. Rhinitis was evaluated using the ISAAC questionnaire. Prevalence of rhinitis was 37.8%. It was higher in those aged 15-49 years, illiterate subjects, active smokers, those presenting with overweight and those with hypereosinophilia. It was significantly lower in children < 10 years. Rhinitis was associated with sibship size and literacy, but not with intestinal parasitosis and helminth infections.