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 sensitisation and in Angola, none. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of allergic sensitisation 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 total of 33 public schools, 5 (15%) were randomly selected, 3 in urban and 2 in rural areas. Allergic sensitisation was defined by positive skin prick tests (SPT) and/or positive inhalant Phadiatop. Data were analysed 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 most frequent sensitisation 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% children were monosensitised, 44% were polysensitized, and most sensitized children (55%) were asymptomatic. No significant differences in allergen sensitisation patterns were observed among atopic children who were asymptomatic, had asthma, rhinitis or eczema. Conclusion: Allergic sensitisation 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 sensitised children with and without allergic diseases.