Allergic sensitisation and relationship with asthma and other allergic diseases in children in the province of Bengo, Angola

Background: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergies has increased, especially in children. In Africa, few studies have evaluated allergic sensitization and in Angola, none. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of allergic sensitization in children with asthma and other allergic diseases. Method: This was a cross-sectional study, using the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergic Diseases in Children (ISAAC), conducted from September to November 2017 in 5 to 14-year-old children in the Bengo Province, Angola. Out of a total of 33 public schools, 5 (15%) were randomly selected, 3 in urban and 2 in rural areas. Allergic sensitization was defined by positive skin prick tests (SPT) and/or positive inhalant Phadiatop. Data were analyzed with SPSS Statistics v25.0. Results: The sample consisted of 1023 children, 48% girls, 58% 10-14-year-old, 61% living in urban areas. Of these children, 8% had positive SPT with the most frequent sensitization being to mites (B.tropicalis, D.farinae, D.pteronyssinus) and cockroach mix, without statistically significant differences between sexes, age, and urban or rural area residents. About 56% of children were monosensitized, 44% were polysensitized, and most sensitized children (55%) were asymptomatic. No significant differences in allergen sensitization patterns were observed among atopic children who were asymptomatic, had asthma, rhinitis, or eczema. Conclusion: Allergic sensitization to dust mites, cockroach mix, and fungi is the most frequent pattern observed in 5-14-year-old Angolan children in Bengo but this was not different between sensitized children with and without allergic diseases.