Prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its impact on daily life and academic achievement among students of the Syrian Private University

Background Allergic rhinitis negatively affects both patients and society. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of allergic rhinitis on academic performance and quality of life of students at the Syrian Private University. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study, which included 403 students from the Syrian Private University. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic characteristics, academic year, cumulative GPA, and allergic rhinitis score. Results Our study included 403 students from the Syrian Private University. The most participating age group was "18–20" (51.1%). The most participating females were (52.1%) and males (47.9%). The most participating faculty was medicine (30.8%). The largest percentage of second-year students (32.8%). Who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (39.7%). Symptoms of allergic rhinitis: sneezing (17.4%), runny nose (17.3%), nasal congestion/blockage (14.9%), watery eyes (12.8%), fatigue (12.6%). Most common months of the year for students to experience symptoms: September (15.8%), August (15.5%). Triggers of symptoms: weather changes (30.3%), pollen (26.9%), cold weather (17.3%), house dust mites (14%). Impact on academic performance: Yes (48.9%). We found that allergic rhinitis is more prevalent in females than males and has a greater impact on their daily lives and academic performance. Conclusion We found that the majority of participants were between 18 and 20 years old. It is worth noting that 39.7% of students were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. The most common symptoms included sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes, and fatigue. The prevalence of symptoms peaked during August and September. Nearly half of the participants reported that allergic rhinitis had a moderate negative impact on their academic performance.