Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic allergic disorders and a growing public health concern worldwide. It is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa characterized by sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and nasal itching following exposure to allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, molds, and animal dander. Although not life-threatening, AR significantly impairs quality of life, disturbs sleep, reduces work and school productivity, and increases healthcare utilization. It is also closely associated with asthma and other allergic disorders, highlighting the importance of early recognition and appropriate management.1,2 The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has increased steadily over the past few decades owing to rapid urbanization, environmental pollution, climate change, and changing lifestyles. Globally, it affects nearly 10–30% of the population, with an increasing burden in low- and middle-income countries, including India. Despite its high prevalence, allergic rhinitis remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Many individuals mistake its symptoms for recurrent common cold or seasonal illness, resulting in delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment.3-6 Poor awareness and widespread misconceptions further aggravate the problem. Self-medication, fear of long-term use of intranasal corticosteroids, reliance on home remedies or alternative medicine, and inadequate knowledge regarding allergen avoidance often lead to poor symptom control and reduced quality of life. Understanding public awareness and health-seeking behavior is therefore essential for identifying barriers to timely diagnosis and evidence-based management.7-9 Haryana, with its increasing urbanization, vehicular emissions, agricultural residue burning, industrial pollution, and seasonal pollen exposure, represents a setting where the burden of allergic respiratory diseases is likely to be substantial. However, community-based evidence regarding public awareness, misconceptions, and healthcare-seeking behavior related to allergic rhinitis among adults in Haryana is limited. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the public awareness and health-seeking behavior related to allergic rhinitis among adults in Haryana and to identify common misconceptions and socio-demographic factors influencing healthcare-seeking practices. The findings are expected to support the development of targeted health education strategies aimed at improving allergy awareness, promoting timely healthcare utilization, and strengthening community-based prevention and management of allergic rhinitis

Study Design and Setting A community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adults residing in Haryana, India, between January and June 2026 to assess public awareness, misconceptions, and health-seeking behavior related to allergic rhinitis. Study Population The study included adults aged 18 years and above who had been residing in Haryana for at least one year and were willing to participate voluntarily. Inclusion Criteria • Adults aged ≥18 years • Permanent residents of Haryana for at least one year • Able to understand the questionnaire and provide informed consent • Willing to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria • Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health personnel) • Medical, dental, nursing, and allied health students • Individuals with incomplete or duplicate responses • Participants unwilling to provide informed consent Sample Size The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula, assuming 50% expected awareness regarding allergic rhinitis due to the absence of comparable community-based data, with a 95% confidence level and 5% absolute precision. n=Z2p(1−p)/d2 The minimum required sample size was 384. To compensate for incomplete responses and improve the precision of the estimates, a total of 420 participants were included in the study. Sampling Technique and Data Collection A non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered Google Form questionnaire disseminated through WhatsApp, Facebook, email, Telegram, and other community-based social media platforms across Haryana. Participation was voluntary, and electronic informed consent was obtained before respondents could access the questionnaire. Duplicate submissions were minimized by restricting one response per participant through Google Form settings. Study Instrument A structured questionnaire was developed following an extensive review of published literature, the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines, and expert recommendations. The questionnaire was written in simple language to facilitate comprehension by the general population and comprised four sections: Section I: Socio-demographic characteristics including age, gender, educational status, occupation, monthly household income, place of residence, smoking status, and family history of allergic diseases. Section II: Knowledge regarding allergic rhinitis (20 items) assessing awareness of symptoms, common allergens, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, complications, and available treatment options. Section III: Public awareness and misconceptions (20 items) evaluating beliefs regarding causes of allergy, contagiousness, allergy testing, intranasal corticosteroids, antihistamines, home remedies, alternative medicine, and allergen avoidance. Section IV: Health-seeking behavior (20 items) assessing healthcare utilization, consultation patterns, self-medication, use of over-the-counter drugs, adherence to prescribed treatment, allergy testing, follow-up practices, and preventive behaviors. Each correct knowledge response was awarded one mark, while incorrect or "Don't Know" responses received zero marks. Based on cumulative scores, knowledge levels were categorized as: • Excellent: ≥75% • Good: 50–74% • Fair: 25–49% • Poor: <25% Health-seeking behavior scores were similarly categorized as good, moderate, or poor according to predefined scoring criteria. Validation and Reliability The questionnaire underwent content and face validation by experts from the Departments of Community Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Allergy and Immunology, and Biostatistics. A pilot study involving 40 adults (excluded from the final analysis) was conducted to evaluate clarity, feasibility, and comprehensibility. The questionnaire demonstrated good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of ≥0.85, indicating satisfactory reliability. Statistical Analysis Data were exported from Google Forms into Microsoft Excel for cleaning and coding and subsequently analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to summarize participant characteristics and study variables. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness or health-seeking behavior were evaluated using the Chi-square test, while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine relationships between knowledge, awareness, and health-seeking behavior scores. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Ethical Considerations The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Participation was entirely voluntary, and electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment. No personally identifiable information was collected, and confidentiality and anonymity of all responses were strictly maintained throughout the study.

A total of 420 adults from different districts of Haryana participated in the study. The majority belonged to the 26–35 years age group (30.0%), with females (52.9%) slightly outnumbering males (47.1%). Most participants were graduates or postgraduates (78.1%) and were employed in service/professional occupations (36.7%). More than half of the respondents resided in urban areas (58.6%), while 28.1% reported a previous history of allergic rhinitis and 32.9% had a family history of allergic diseases. The majority (75.7%) were non-smokers, indicating a predominantly educated community-based study population. Table 1. Socio-demographic Characteristics of the Study Participants (n = 420) Variable Category Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Age Group (years) 18–25 86 20.5 26–35 126 30.0 36–45 92 21.9 46–60 78 18.6 >60 38 9.0 Gender Male 198 47.1 Female 222 52.9 Educational Status Up to Secondary 92 21.9 Graduate 176 41.9 Postgraduate & Above 152 36.2 Occupation Student 64 15.2 Service/Professional 154 36.7 Homemaker 96 22.9 Self-employed/Business 72 17.1 Retired/Unemployed 34 8.1 Monthly Household Income (INR) <25,000 74 17.6 ₹25,001–50,000 134 31.9 ₹50,001–75,000 126 30.0 >₹75,000 86 20.5 Place of Residence Urban 246 58.6 Rural 174 41.4 Previous History of Allergic Rhinitis Yes 118 28.1 No 302 71.9 Family History of Allergic Disease Yes 138 32.9 No 282 67.1 Smoking Status Current Smoker 58 13.8 Former Smoker 44 10.5 Never Smoker 318 75.7 Overall, participants demonstrated moderate to good awareness regarding allergic rhinitis, with satisfactory recognition of its common symptoms, triggering factors, and preventive measures. More than three-fourths correctly identified frequent sneezing (84.3%) and dust exposure (82.4%) as characteristic features of allergic rhinitis. Most respondents were also aware that allergic rhinitis is triggered by allergens rather than infection (79.8%) and that avoiding known allergens can reduce symptoms (81.4%). However, important knowledge gaps persisted regarding the hereditary nature of allergic diseases (57.6%), the role of allergy testing (54.5%), and the association between allergic rhinitis and asthma (59.8%), indicating the need for improved public education Table 2. Knowledge Regarding Allergic Rhinitis Among Adults in Haryana (n = 420) Q. No. Question Options (Correct Answer in Bold) Correct n (%) 1 Allergic rhinitis is primarily caused by a) Allergens b) Bacteria c) Viruses d) Cold weather 335 (79.8) 2 A common symptom of allergic rhinitis is a) Sneezing b) Vomiting c) Diarrhea d) Ear discharge 354 (84.3) 3 Persistent nasal itching is commonly seen in a) Allergic rhinitis b) Malaria c) Dengue d) Tuberculosis 326 (77.6) 4 House dust is a common trigger for a) Allergic rhinitis b) Diabetes c) Hypertension d) Arthritis 346 (82.4) 5 Allergic rhinitis is a) Not contagious b) Highly contagious c) Spread by food d) Spread by water 318 (75.7) 6 Exposure to pollen can trigger a) Allergic rhinitis b) Kidney disease c) Hepatitis d) Anaemia 308 (73.3) 7 Family history increases the risk of allergic rhinitis a) Yes b) No c) Rarely d) Don't know 242 (57.6) 8 Pet dander may cause a) Allergic rhinitis b) Hypertension c) Cataract d) Gastritis 286 (68.1) 9 Smoke and air pollution can worsen allergy symptoms a) Yes b) No c) Rarely d) Don't know 330 (78.6) 10 Allergic rhinitis commonly causes a) Runny nose and nasal blockage b) Abdominal pain c) Joint pain d) Skin burns 334 (79.5) 11 Fever is usually a feature of allergic rhinitis a) Yes b) No c) Sometimes d) Don't know 294 (70.0) 12 Avoiding known allergens helps prevent symptoms a) Yes b) No c) Rarely d) Don't know 342 (81.4) 13 Allergy testing helps identify specific allergens a) Yes b) No c) Only children need it d) Don't know 229 (54.5) 14 Allergic rhinitis can affect daily activities and sleep a) Yes b) No c) Rarely d) Don't know 312 (74.3) 15 Untreated allergic rhinitis may lead to sinus problems a) Yes b) No c) Never d) Don't know 282 (67.1) 16 Allergic rhinitis may occur throughout the year a) Yes b) No c) Only in winter d) Don't know 266 (63.3) 17 Allergic rhinitis is associated with asthma a) Yes b) No c) Rarely d) Don't know 251 (59.8) 18 Wearing a mask in dusty environments may reduce symptoms a) Yes b) No c) Never d) Don't know 320 (76.2) 19 Early diagnosis improves disease management a) Yes b) No c) Rarely d) Don't know 316 (75.2) 20 Allergic rhinitis is a treatable condition a) Yes b) No c) Don't know 338 (80.5) Although the majority of participants had heard about allergic rhinitis, several misconceptions regarding its causes, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment were identified. Nearly two-thirds correctly recognized that allergic rhinitis is not an infectious disease (71.4%), and 76.7% acknowledged that allergy medications should be taken only under medical advice. However, misconceptions persisted regarding the long-term safety of nasal sprays, the effectiveness of herbal remedies, and the curability of allergic rhinitis. Approximately half of the respondents believed that home remedies alone could adequately control allergic rhinitis, highlighting the need for community-based educational interventions to dispel prevalent myths. Table 3. Public Awareness and Misconceptions Regarding Allergic Rhinitis Among Adults in Haryana (n = 420) Q. No. Statement Correct Response Correct n (%) 1 Allergic rhinitis is an infectious disease. False 300 (71.4) 2 Allergic rhinitis can spread from one person to another. False 316 (75.2) 3 Allergy symptoms are the same as the common cold. False 248 (59.0) 4 Allergic rhinitis can be controlled with appropriate treatment. True 326 (77.6) 5 Allergy testing helps identify the allergens responsible for symptoms. True 238 (56.7) 6 Nasal steroid sprays are unsafe if prescribed by a doctor. False 224 (53.3) 7 Antihistamines help relieve allergy symptoms. True 304 (72.4) 8 Avoiding allergens is an important part of treatment. True 334 (79.5) 9 Herbal remedies alone can permanently cure allergic rhinitis. False 202 (48.1) 10 Smoking can worsen allergy symptoms. True 322 (76.7) 11 Air pollution increases the risk of allergy symptoms. True 338 (80.5) 12 Wearing a mask in dusty environments may reduce symptoms. True 324 (77.1) 13 Allergic rhinitis may increase the risk of asthma. True 254 (60.5) 14 Delaying treatment may lead to persistent symptoms. True 318 (75.7) 15 Self-medication should be the first treatment for allergy symptoms. False 264 (62.9) 16 Over-the-counter medicines should be used without medical advice. False 322 (76.7) 17 Allergic rhinitis can significantly affect quality of life. True 306 (72.9) 18 Allergic rhinitis is completely curable in every patient. False 218 (51.9) 19 Lifestyle modifications can help reduce allergy symptoms. True 330 (78.6) 20 Regular follow-up improves long-term disease control. True 290 (69.0) Health-seeking behavior varied considerably among the participants. While a majority (68.6%) preferred consulting a qualified medical practitioner for persistent allergy symptoms, a substantial proportion still relied on self-medication (42.4%) and over-the-counter medications (46.2%). Only 38.1% had ever undergone allergy testing, and regular follow-up for long-term management was reported by less than half of the respondents. These findings indicate that although awareness of allergic rhinitis was reasonably good, evidence-based healthcare utilization and adherence to recommended management practices remain suboptimal. Table 4. Health-Seeking Behavior Related to Allergic Rhinitis Among Adults in Haryana (n = 420) Q. No. Health-Seeking Behavior Response Indicating Appropriate Practice n (%) 1 Consult a doctor for persistent allergy symptoms Yes 288 (68.6) 2 Self-medicate without consulting a healthcare professional No 242 (57.6) 3 Purchase medicines directly from a pharmacy without prescription No 226 (53.8) 4 Visit an ENT specialist or allergy specialist when symptoms persist Yes 236 (56.2) 5 Undergo allergy testing when recommended Yes 160 (38.1) 6 Complete the prescribed course of medication Yes 274 (65.2) 7 Stop medicines immediately after symptom relief No 244 (58.1) 8 Attend regular follow-up visits Yes 192 (45.7) 9 Follow medical advice regarding allergen avoidance Yes 304 (72.4) 10 Use a face mask during dust exposure Yes 282 (67.1) 11 Avoid exposure to known allergens Yes 316 (75.2) 12 Maintain cleanliness to reduce indoor allergens Yes 298 (71.0) 13 Seek medical care during severe allergy attacks Yes 332 (79.0) 14 Inform the doctor about previous allergy history Yes 286 (68.1) 15 Use herbal remedies as the only treatment No 228 (54.3) 16 Follow lifestyle modifications advised by healthcare professionals Yes 292 (69.5) 17 Read medicine instructions before use Yes 302 (71.9) 18 Recommend professional consultation to family members with similar symptoms Yes 310 (73.8) 19 Seek immediate care if symptoms interfere with daily activities Yes 296 (70.5) 20 Believe allergic rhinitis requires long-term management when indicated Yes 280 (66.7) Based on the predefined scoring criteria, good overall awareness regarding allergic rhinitis was observed among the study participants. Nearly half (46.2%) demonstrated good knowledge, while 28.6% had excellent knowledge. However, approximately one-fourth of the participants exhibited fair or poor knowledge, indicating persistent gaps in understanding of allergic rhinitis. These findings underscore the need for targeted community-based educational interventions to improve allergy literacy and promote evidence-based disease management. Table 5. Overall Knowledge Score Regarding Allergic Rhinitis Among Adults in Haryana (n = 420) Knowledge Category Score (%) Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Excellent ≥75 120 28.6 Good 50–74 194 46.2 Fair 25–49 82 19.5 Poor <25 24 5.7 Total — 420 100.0 A statistically significant association was observed between knowledge regarding allergic rhinitis and several socio-demographic characteristics. Higher levels of knowledge were significantly associated with younger age, higher educational attainment, urban residence, higher household income, and a positive family history of allergic diseases (p<0.05). In contrast, gender and smoking status did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with knowledge levels. Table 6. Association Between Socio-demographic Characteristics and Knowledge Level Regarding Allergic Rhinitis (n = 420) Variable Excellent/Good n (%) Fair/Poor n (%) χ² p-value Age Group 12.86 0.012* 18–35 years 178 (84.0) 34 (16.0) >35 years 136 (65.4) 72 (34.6) Gender 1.42 0.234 Male 144 (72.7) 54 (27.3) Female 170 (76.6) 52 (23.4) Educational Status 24.78 <0.001* Up to Secondary 48 (52.2) 44 (47.8) Graduate & Above 266 (81.8) 62 (19.2) Residence 8.31 0.004* Urban 196 (79.7) 50 (20.3) Rural 118 (67.8) 56 (32.2) Monthly Household Income 10.65 0.001* ≤₹50,000 144 (69.2) 64 (30.8) >₹50,000 170 (80.2) 42 (19.8) Family History of Allergy 6.48 0.011* Yes 114 (82.6) 24 (17.4) No 200 (70.9) 82 (29.1) Smoking Status 2.37 0.124 Smoker/Former Smoker 70 (68.6) 32 (31.4) Never Smoker 244 (76.7) 74 (23.3) *Statistically significant (p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of good knowledge (excellent/good knowledge scores) regarding allergic rhinitis. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher educational status, urban residence, higher monthly household income, and a positive family history of allergic diseases remained significant predictors of good knowledge (p<0.05). Age showed borderline significance, whereas gender and smoking status were not independently associated with knowledge levels. Table 7. Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis of Factors Associated with Good Knowledge Regarding Allergic Rhinitis (n = 420) Variable Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 95% Confidence Interval p-value Age (18–35 years) 1.48 0.98–2.24 0.061 Female Gender 1.16 0.78–1.73 0.458 Graduate & Above Education 3.42 2.08–5.64 <0.001* Urban Residence 1.89 1.23–2.92 0.004* Monthly Household Income >₹50,000 1.74 1.12–2.70 0.014* Family History of Allergic Disease 1.96 1.23–3.13 0.005* Current/Former Smoker 0.84 0.51–1.39 0.503 *Dependent Variable: Good knowledge (Excellent + Good knowledge score) **Reference Categories: Age >35 years, Male gender, Up to Secondary education, Rural residence, Monthly income ≤₹50,000, No family history of allergy, Never smoker. ***Statistically significant (p < 0.05). A positive association was observed between participants' knowledge regarding allergic rhinitis and their health-seeking behavior. Individuals with excellent or good knowledge were significantly more likely to seek timely medical consultation, adhere to prescribed treatment, and adopt preventive measures than those with fair or poor knowledge. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and health-seeking behavior scores (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), suggesting that improved awareness was associated with better healthcare utilization and disease management practices. Table 8. Correlation Between Knowledge and Health-Seeking Behavior Scores (n = 420) Variables Mean ± SD Pearson's Correlation (r) p-value Knowledge Score 14.8 ± 3.6 0.48 <0.001* Health-Seeking Behavior Score 15.6 ± 3.2 *Statistically significant (p < 0.05). Participants with excellent/good knowledge demonstrated significantly better health-seeking behavior than those with fair/poor knowledge. Nearly four-fifths (81.2%) of respondents with higher knowledge scores reported appropriate healthcare-seeking practices compared to only 46.2% among participants with lower knowledge scores (χ² = 48.67, p < 0.001), indicating that better knowledge was strongly associated with favorable health-seeking behavior. Table 9. Association Between Knowledge Level and Health-Seeking Behavior (n = 420) Knowledge Level Good Health-Seeking Behavior n (%) Poor/Moderate Health-Seeking Behavior n (%) χ² p-value Excellent 104 (86.7) 16 (13.3) Good 151 (77.8) 43 (22.2) Fair 42 (51.2) 40 (48.8) Poor 11 (45.8) 13 (54.2) 48.67 <0.001* Total 308 (73.3) 112 (26.7) *Statistically significant (p < 0.05).

The present community-based cross-sectional study provides valuable insights into the public awareness, misconceptions, and health-seeking behavior related to allergic rhinitis among adults in Haryana . Overall, the findings indicate that although awareness of the common symptoms and triggers of allergic rhinitis was reasonably good, important knowledge gaps and misconceptions continue to influence appropriate healthcare-seeking practices. These observations highlight the need for targeted public health interventions aimed at improving allergy literacy and promoting evidence-based disease management. Nearly three-fourths of the participants correctly recognized the common symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including sneezing, nasal obstruction, and rhinorrhea, and were aware that allergens such as dust and pollen are important triggering factors. Similar findings have been reported from community-based studies in India and other developing countries, where awareness of the clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis was satisfactory but knowledge regarding disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and long-term management remained inadequate.10-13 The increasing availability of health information through digital media and improved educational attainment may have contributed to the relatively good awareness observed in the present study. Despite this, several misconceptions were evident. A considerable proportion of participants believed that allergic rhinitis is similar to the common cold, while many were unaware of the role of allergy testing, the association between allergic rhinitis and asthma, and the safety of physician-prescribed intranasal corticosteroids. Furthermore, reliance on herbal remedies and self-medication was common among respondents. Similar misconceptions have been documented in previous studies, where inadequate knowledge regarding the chronic nature of allergic rhinitis often resulted in delayed diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and poor symptom control.14-18 These findings underscore the importance of structured health education programmes to dispel myths and improve understanding of evidence-based management. The study also demonstrated that health-seeking behavior remains suboptimal despite relatively good awareness. Although most participants reported consulting a healthcare professional for persistent symptoms, a substantial proportion continued to practice self-medication or purchase medications without prescription. Less than half had undergone allergy testing or reported regular follow-up for long-term management. Comparable observations have been reported in several low- and middle-income countries, where easy access to over-the-counter medications, limited availability of allergy specialists, financial constraints, and inadequate awareness contribute to delayed healthcare utilization and poor treatment adherence.19-21 One of the important findings of the present study was the significant association between higher educational status, urban residence, higher household income, and better knowledge regarding allergic rhinitis. Participants with higher educational attainment were more likely to recognize disease symptoms, understand preventive measures, and seek appropriate medical care. Similar socio-demographic determinants have been identified in previous KAP studies, suggesting that education and socioeconomic status play a pivotal role in shaping health literacy and healthcare utilization.22-25 The positive correlation observed between knowledge scores and health-seeking behavior further emphasizes the importance of public awareness in improving disease outcomes. Participants with better knowledge were significantly more likely to consult healthcare professionals, adhere to prescribed medications, adopt allergen avoidance measures, and practice preventive behaviors. These findings support the concept that improving health literacy can directly influence healthcare utilization and disease management. Strengthening community awareness through mass media campaigns, school- and workplace-based health education, primary healthcare counseling, and digital health platforms may therefore enhance early diagnosis, improve treatment adherence, and reduce the burden of allergic rhinitis.26-30 From a public health perspective, allergic rhinitis should not be regarded as a minor seasonal illness but as a chronic condition with significant implications for quality of life, productivity, healthcare expenditure, and respiratory health. Integrating allergy education into primary healthcare services, training frontline healthcare workers, improving access to allergy diagnostic services, and promoting guideline-based management can substantially improve patient outcomes. Community-based awareness campaigns focusing on allergen avoidance, early recognition of symptoms, rational use of medications, and appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior should be prioritized, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions such as Haryana. Strengths and Limitations The present study provides valuable community-based evidence on public awareness, misconceptions, and health-seeking behavior related to allergic rhinitis among adults in Haryana using a structured, validated questionnaire and an adequate sample size. The inclusion of analytical methods to identify factors associated with knowledge enhances the public health relevance of the findings. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference, convenience sampling may reduce generalizability, and the reliance on self-reported responses introduces the possibility of recall and social desirability bias. Furthermore, the absence of clinical confirmation or objective allergy testing may have influenced the accuracy of participants' reported disease status.

The present study demonstrates that although adults in Haryana possess reasonably good awareness regarding the symptoms and triggers of allergic rhinitis, important misconceptions and suboptimal health-seeking practices remain prevalent. Higher educational status, urban residence, and better socioeconomic status were significantly associated with greater knowledge, while improved awareness positively influenced appropriate healthcare-seeking behavior. These findings highlight the need for sustained public health efforts to improve allergy literacy, promote early diagnosis, and encourage evidence-based management of allergic rhinitis. Recommendations Community-based health education campaigns should be strengthened to improve public awareness, dispel misconceptions, and promote timely healthcare-seeking behavior for allergic rhinitis. Allergy education should be integrated into primary healthcare services through trained healthcare providers, supported by mass media and digital health initiatives. Future multicentric longitudinal studies incorporating objective diagnostic methods are recommended to better understand the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis and to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted awareness and prevention programmes.

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