CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUTH WITH ALLERGIC

CONDITIONS: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY IN CITY DERA

GHAZI KHAN

BY
ANAM FATIMA
2016-SOC-BS-07

Department of Sociology
Faculty of Management & Social Sciences
GHAZI UNIVERSITY
Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
2020
 CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUTH WITH ALLERGIC
CONDITIONS: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY IN CITY DERA
GHAZI KHAN

BY
ANAM FATIMA
2016-SOC-BS-07

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

Degree of Master of Science
IN
SOCIOLOGY

Department of Sociology
Faculty of Management & Social Sciences
GHAZI UNIVERSITY
Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
2020
To,

The Controller of Examination,

Ghazi University,
Dera Ghazi Khan.

“We, the supervisory committee, certify that the contents and form of this thesis is
submitted by Ms. Anam Fatima Regd. # 2016-SOC-BS-07 have been found satisfactory
and recommend that it be processed for evaluation by the External Examiner(s) for the
award of degree”.

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE:

1. Supervisor: __________________
(Dr. Muhammad Ali Tarar)

2. Member: __________________
(Ms. Roomana Naz)
 DEDICATION

At first dedicating this thesis to Almighty ALLAH, without his mercy and
sympathy I was not able to accomplish this thesis, Almighty ALLAH gave me power and
confidence to done my thesis and also HOLY PROPHET HAZARAT MUHAMMAD
(Peace Be Upon Him) who is a light for humanity. I also dedicate this thesis to my lovely
parents with deepest gratitude whose love and prayers have always been a source of
strength for me.
 K2ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All acclamation and praises are for “ALMIGHTY ALLAH”, most Merciful and
most Beneficent. I set my unfeigned and meek thanks giving before Him who favored in
invigorated me with the fortitude and capability to aptly complete my research work. It is
He Who blessed me with potential, thoughts, talented teachers, cooperated friends and
opportunity to make some contribution to the already existing ocean of knowledge.Then
the trembling lips and wet eyes praise the greatest man of Universe, the last messenger of
Allah Almighty, Hazarat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), whom ALLAH ALMIGHTY has
sent as mercy for world, the illuminating torch, the blessing for the literate, rich, poor,
powerful, weaker, able and disabled. Whose life and sayings are ultimate source of
guidance and way of “Nijaat” for the mankind who enlighten our conscious with the
essence of faith on ALLAH merging all his kindness and mercy upon us.
I feel a matter of great pleasure to express my sincerest gratitude for my worthy
supervisor Dr. Muhammad Ali Tarar, Lecturer Department of Sociology, Ghazi
University, Dera Ghazi Khan, whose guidance, cooperation, valuable suggestions and
constructive criticisms really helped me in the completion of this piece of work. My
sincerest thanks are for, Ms. Roomana Naz, Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Ghazi
University, Dera Ghazi Khan.
I have no words to say thanks to my sisters for their efforts towards the
inculcation of spirit of hard work and maintenance of professional integrity besides other
valuable suggestion throughout research work. I extend deep emotions of appreciation,
gratitude and indebtedness for his guidance. Mother and Father (Gull Muhammad) for
their inspirations and unceasing prayers for me, without whom the present destination
would have been merely a dream. I also thank my especially friendsand my all class
fellows.

ANAM FATIMA
 LIST OF CONTENTS

CHAPTE PAGE
TITLE
R NO. NO.

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 8

3 MATERIAL AND METHODS 27

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 36

5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 91

REFERENCES

APPENDIX
 LIST OF TABLES

SR. TITLE PG. NO.

NO.
1 Percentage Distribution of respondents regarding their gender 36
2 Percentage Distribution of respondents regarding their age 36
3 Percentage Distribution of respondents regarding their 37
education
4 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding their marital 37
status
5 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding number of 38
children
6 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding their 38
father’s occupation
7 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding their 39
monthly income
8 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding family type 39
9 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding their think 40
about suffering of youth from allergy
10 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was a 40
serious problem which was faced by youth
11 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding drug allergy 41
was faced by youth
12 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding food allergy 41
was faced by youth
13 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding insect 42
allergy was faced by youth
14 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding latex allergy 42
was faced by youth
15 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding mold allergy 43
was faced by youth
16 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding pet allergy 43
was faced by youth
17 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding pollen 44
allergy was faced by youth
18 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 44
caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system
19 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 45
spread through harmless substance in the environment
20 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 46
spread due to genetic factors among youth
21 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 47
spread due to environmental factors among youth
22 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 48
spread among youth through host factors
23 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding heredity was 49
a host factor which was cause of prevalence of allergy among
youth
24 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding sex was a 50
host factor which was cause of prevalence of allergy among
youth
25 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding race was a 51
host factor which was cause of prevalence of allergy among
youth
26 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding age was a 52
host factor which was cause of prevalence of allergy among
youth
27 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 53
spread among youth through environmental pollution
28 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 54
spread among youth through dietary changes
29 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 55
spread among youth through some type of food
30 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 56
spread among youth through cow’s milk
31 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 56
spread among youth through soy
32 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 57
spread among youth through eggs
33 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 57
spread among youth through wheat
34 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 58
spread among youth through peanuts
35 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 58
spread among youth through tree nuts
36 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 59
spread among youth through fish
37 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 59
 spread among youth through shellfish
38 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergic 60
disease was spread among youth through acute response
39 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy cause 61
many health issues among youth
40 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy 62
causes chronic health conditions among youth
41 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy 63
caused many diseases among youth
42 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding hay fever 63
was caused by allergy among youth
43 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding eczema was 64
caused by allergy among youth
44 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding hive asthma 64
was caused by allergy among youth
45 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding swelling was 65
caused by allergy among youth
46 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding anaphylaxis 65
was caused by allergy among youth
47 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy 66
caused many health problems in youth
48 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding nausea was 66
caused by allergy among youth
49 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding lack of 67
energy was caused by allergy among youth
50 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding muscle aches 67
was caused by allergy among youth
51 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding coughing 68
was caused by allergy among youth
52 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding headache 68
was caused by allergy among youth
53 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding stomach 69
cramps was caused by allergy among youth
54 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding skin allergy 70
was a common problem among youth
55 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding skin allergy 71
caused rashes on skin among youth
56 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy 72
effected to body organs of youth
57 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding nose was 72
 affected by allergy among youth
58 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding sinuses was 73
affected by allergy among youth
59 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding eyes were 73
affected by allergy among youth
60 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding airways 74
were affected by allergy among youth
61 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding ears were 74
affected by allergy among youth
62 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding skin was 75
affected by allergy among youth
63 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding 75
gastrointestinal tracts were affected by allergy among youth
64 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy 76
affected the social life of youth
65 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding people avoid 76
allergic person
66 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 77
caused of anxiety among youth
67 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 77
cause of depression among youth
68 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergy was 78
cause of mental health issues among youth
69 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth 79
skipped out an important function due to allergy
70 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth avoid 80
airline travel due to allergy
71 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth 80
became sensitive because of allergy
72 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth avoid 81
gathering due to allergy
73 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergic 81
person avoid all activities
74 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergic 82
people feels shy to meet with other people
75 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding allergic 82
people lose their confidence
76 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding anxious 83
feeling among youth due to allergy
77 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth faced 84
 problem of double vision because of allergy
78 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth faced 85
problem of irritability because of allergy
79 Percentage distribution of respondents regarding youth faced 86
sleeping disorder due to allergy
Hypothesis Testing
80 Association between allergy and problems faced by youth. 87
81 Association between harmless substances in environment and 88
suffering of youth from allergy
82 Association between environmental pollution and suffering of 89
youth from allergy
83 Association between allergy among youth and avoidance of 90
youth gathering
 ABSTRACT
Allergy occurs when a person reacts to substances in the environment that a harmless to most
people. These substances are known as allergens and are found dust mites, pets, pollen insects,
ticks, moulds, foods, and some medications. This can cause symptoms in the nose and/or eyes,
resulting in allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and/or conjunctivitis. Skin resulting in eczema, or hives
(urticaria) and lungs resulting in asthma. Researcher conducted this research in Dera Ghazi Khan
and objectives of research were (i) to study the socio economic characteristics of the respondents;
(ii) to investigate prevalence allergic diseases among youth; (iii) to find out the challenges and
health problems faced by youth with allergic conditions and (iv) to suggest some measures how to
control the challenges and health problems of allergic conditions. To meet the objectives of
research a sample of 160 respondents (youth) was selected through multistage sampling
technique. At first stage 4 union councils were selected purposively, at second stage 2
colonies/mohallahs were selected through simple random sampling and third stage, 20
respondents (youth) from selected colonies/mohallas were chosen by convenient sampling
technique. Data was analyzed by statistical package for Social Sciences(SPSS) and the obtained
results were utilized for recommendations that will contribute how to minimize the problem
facing by youth and allergic conditions in city Dera Ghazi Khan. Researcher found that 64.4%
youth of researched area were either agreed or strongly agreed that hive asthma was
caused by allergy; 56.3% youth of researched area were either agreed or strongly agreed
that swelling was caused by allergy among youth. It was depicted from the analyzed data
that 60.7% of the respondents were either agreed or strongly agreed that youth faced drug
allergy, 31.3% faced food allergy, 80.0% faced insect allergy, 78.8% faced latex allergy,
64.4% faced mold allergy, while 51.3% faced pet allergy and 35.6% faced pollen allergy.
Researcher also found that 80.6 % of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that
allergy was caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system among youth, 76.9%
respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that allergy was spread through harmless
substance in the environment, 70.1% respondents were either agreed or strongly agreed
that allergy was spread among youth through environmental pollution, 70.7% respondents
either agreed or strongly agreed that allergy was spread among youth through dietary
changes, 68.8% respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that allergy was spread
among youth through cow’s milk, 61.9% respondents either agreed or strongly agreed
that allergy was spread among youth through soy, 68.2% respondents either agreed or
strongly agreed that allergy was spread among youth through eggs, 64.6% respondents
either agreed or strongly agreed that allergy was spread among youth through wheat,
60.6% respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that allergy was spread among youth
through fish, 56.3% respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that allergy causes
chronic health conditions among youth, 59.4% respondents were either agreed or strongly
agreed that eczema was caused by allergy among youth, 64.4% respondents were either
agreed or strongly agreed that hive asthma was caused by allergy among youth and 56.3
% respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that swelling was caused by allergy
among youth. Allergy affected emotional feelings of allergic person. It was noted from
the results that people felt shyness, anxious feelings, and double vision and irritability
problems.