Knowledge, attitudes, and practice towards allergic rhinitis in patients with allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional study

Background The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of Chinese patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) on AR is poorly known. This study investigated the KAP towards AR in patients with this disease and explored the factors associated with KAP. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled patients with AR in Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between October 2022 and March 2023. Results This study included 656 valid questionnaires. Most participants were 26–35 years old (36.13%) and were female (55.18%). The knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 5.70 ± 2.88 (possible range: 0–12), 29.51 ± 3.52 (possible range: 9–45), and 34.13 ± 7.55 (possible range: 9–45), indicating poor knowledge, unfavorable attitudes, and proactive practice. AR history of 3–5 years (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.54, P = 0.037), AR history of > 6 years (adjOR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.06–2.54, P = 0.027), and know their own allergens (adjOR = 2.34, 95%CI: 1.28–4.25, P = 0.005) were independently associated with the sufficient knowledge. AR history of ≥ 6 years (adjOR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.37–0.96, P = 0.035), and liking sports (adjOR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.07–2.33, P = 0.020) were independently associated with the positive attitude. The knowledge scores (adjOR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.05–1.22, P = 0.001), attitude scores (adjOR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.17–1.32, P < 0.001), age 36–45 (adjOR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.19–3.82, P = 0.011), employed (adjOR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.37–0.94, P = 0.026), and liking sports (adjOR = 2.11, 95%CI: 1.43–3.14, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the proactive practice. Conclusions Patients with AR have poor knowledge and unfavorable attitudes but good practice toward AR. Continuous quality teaching interventions and education on patients for AR were recommended.