International Journal of General Medicine (Jun 2024)

Exploring the Relationship Between Bakhour Use and Respiratory Health: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia

  • Jareebi MA,
  • Alqassim AY,
  • Almraysi SA,
  • Alfaifi WA,
  • Masri TA,
  • Alaki RS,
  • Qawfashi WM,
  • Nehari KI,
  • Hakami SB,
  • Gosadi IM,
  • Muaddi MA,
  • Alharbi AA,
  • Makeen AM,
  • Salih SMA,
  • Masmali AA

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 2833 – 2845

Abstract

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Mohammad A Jareebi,1 Ahmad Y Alqassim,1 Saja A Almraysi,1 Weaam A Alfaifi,1 Taif A Masri,1 Rana S Alaki,1 Wasan M Qawfashi,1 Khairiah Ibrahim Nehari,1 Sawsan B Hakami,1 Ibrahim M Gosadi,1 Mohammed A Muaddi,1 Abdullah A Alharbi,1 Anwar M Makeen,1 Sarah MA Salih,1 Ali Abdullah Masmali2 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Jazan Health Affairs, King Fahd Central Hospital, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohammad A Jareebi, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Despite deep cultural traditions, incense burning significantly impacts respiratory health. Effects of Arabian bakhour remain unknown in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region with prevalent use. This cross-sectional study addresses this gap by investigating bakhour exposure and respiratory diseases.Methods: This was descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Jazan area, Saudi Arabia, from October 2023 to March 2024. A total of 1612 participants age more than 18 years, both gender and resident of Jazan Area were included. Those aged less than 18 years were excluded. SPSS v 26 was used for data analysis.Results: The sample (n=1612) had a mean age of 29± 11 years and was 63% female. Bakhour use was nearly universal (98%), especially using coal (73%). Higher bakhour frequency significantly associated with increased cough (p< 0.01) and dyspnea (p< 0.01). Certain bakhour types linked to greater allergic rhinitis prevalence (p< 0.01). Regression analysis revealed cough during bakhour use worsened respiratory health (increased respiratory score) by 3.89 times (95% CI 1.13– 6.64; p=0.006) while dyspnea increased the score by 7.48 times (95% CI 4.70– 10.25; p< 0.001).Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the association between Bakhour use and respiratory health in the Jazan region. The findings emphasize the need for further research and public health interventions to mitigate potential respiratory risks associated with Bakhour use.Keywords: bakhour, respiratory health, cough, dyspnea, allergic rhinitis, household air pollution, environmental health

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