The effect of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children on caregivers' lives:A pilot study

The objective of this pilot study was to assess the impact of seasonal alle rgic rhinitis in children on social and emotional aspects of the caregivers ' lives. A five-item self-administered questionnaire was completed by 78 ca regivers, The questionnaire assessed the following items: caregivers' worri es about their child's health, caregivers' abilities to pursue social activ ities as well las non-work and work-related activities, and caregivers' abi lities to work and to be productive at work. Results revealed that 66.7% of caregivers worry about the effects of allergies on their child's health; 2 8.2% of caregivers feel that their child's allergies interfere with their o wn social activities, while 21.8% feel that it interferes with their abilit y to conduct non-work-related daily activities, Among employed caregivers, 10.3% declared being affected in their ability to work, 8.2% declared being affected in their ability to be productive at work, and 12.3% missed work because: of their child's allergies. Finally, we found that the use of outs ide, nonmedical services for the prevention of allergies was rarely sought by caregivers. A significant proportion of caregivers were concerned about their child's health. A lower number, but significant proportion of caregiv ers, felt restrained in their ability to pursue social and non-work-related activities. Similar conclusions were reached when caregivers were stratifi ed by employment status, However, unemployed caregivers were significantly more affected than employed caregivers in their ability to conduct non-work -related activities.