Gambaran Tingkat Pengetahuan, Sikap, dan Perilaku Mengenai Cuci Hidung sebagai Pencegahan Rinitis Alergi pada Penyapu Jalan di Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Background. Street sweeper, one of the jobs which carried nasal health problems. Repeated exposure to dust and pollutants could be the risk factor for allergic rhinitis. For not getting allergic rhinitis, we need to do the prevention by applying nasal irrigation therapy. Nasal irrigation is a medical procedure by flowing saline fluid into the nasal cavum to remove dust and pollutants. Objectives. To determine the level of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour among street sweepers in the Universitas Sumatera Utara towards nasal irrigation as a prevention of allergic rhinitis. Methods. A descriptive study with cross sectional design using total sampling technique. Data was collected using a 20-question questionnaire that had been validated and reliable. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and the results were presented in the form of frequencies and percentages. Results. This study involved 55 respondents consisting of 18 men and 37 women. The results showed that 10.9% of respondents had good level of knowledge, 67.3% had moderate level of knowledge, and 21.8% had poor level of knowledge. Regarding attitude, 80% showed a good attitude, 10.9% showed moderate attitude, and 9.1% showed poor attitude. Behavioural insights showed 7.3% had good behaviour, 3.6% had moderate behaviour, and 89.1% had poor behaviour. Conclusion. Street sweepers have moderate level of knowledge, good level of attitude, and poor level of practice regarding nasal washing therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct education and counselling regarding nasal irrigation as promotive and preventive of rhinitis allergic.