A Survey of Pollen Allergies in Six Villages of Islamabad (W-25)

A Survey of Pollen Allergies in Six Villages of Islamabad (W-25)

Publication details

  • Wednesday | 01 Jan, 1997
  • Jennifer Bennett, Masooma Qazilbash, Ali A. Qazilbash
  • Working Papers
  • 26
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Jennifer Bennett, Masooma Qazilbash, SDPI and Ali A. Qazilbash 1997(Published in Pakistan Research Council Pakistan Journal of Medical Research, Vol. 34, No. 1, 1995.) Abstract This investigative research was carried out in 6 villages within 20 kilometers of central Islamabad to determine the incidence and prevalence of pollen allergy and factors associated with it. Using a cluster sampling method, a survey of 347 households was conducted. Results show that 33% of the total study population was suffering from more than one type of pollen allergy. The highest number of casualties occurred during the months of February and March and the most affected persons were those aged 40 years or above followed by children in the age category of 7-19 years. An important finding was that the prevalence of allergies was higher amongst women compared to men. The symptoms of allergies for more than 39% of the patients last for a minimum of 60 days or more. Results also indicate that the recommended immunotherapy was neither a preventive measure nor a permanent cure against the widespread pollen allergies.