Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most chronic pediatric diseases worldwide that negatively affects sleep quality.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of AR among high school students in Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the association of sleep problems in this population.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in four regions of Saudi Arabia among high school students from grades 10 to 12 (15-18 years) of both genders. Data about the participants’ demographics were collected and the sleep quality was assessed by the global Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Results: The mean age of students was 17.6 ± 1.4 years, 199 (51.2%) were females, 358 (92%) were single, 187 fathers (48.1%) worked in the governmental sector, 198 (50.9%) reported a family monthly income exceeding 10,000 SR, 33 (8.5%) were smokers, and 207 (53.2%) had a family history of chest and nose allergies or AR. The grade point average was excellent for 305 (78.4%) students. The most reported nasal symptoms were sneezing 277 (71.2%), and 241 (68.9%) reported nasal symptoms more frequent during the winter. House dust aggravates nasal problems among (61%), 109 (28%) had AR, and 151 (38.8%) were poor sleepers. Family history was significantly associated with having AR. A significant association was found between AR and poor sleep and students with AR were 22 times more likely to qualify as poor sleepers than those without (OR = 22.2; 95% CI: 12.1-40.7).
Conclusion: Treating AR is crucial to improving the health of students with AR. There is a need to develop strategies to enhance children’s sleep quality.
Key words: Keywords: prevalence, AR, sleep, problems, school, Saudi
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