Skin Prick Test Reactivity and Associated Factors in Pediatric Patients at Chest Clinic St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College: A 6-Year Study (2017–2023)

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Allergic diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, are increasingly affecting children worldwide, with a rising trend observed in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. Skin prick testing (SPT) remains a gold standard for identifying allergen sensitization in pediatric populations. However, local data on the prevalence of SPT positivity and its associated risk factors are limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of skin prick test (SPT) positivity and identify associated factors among children attending follow-up chest clinic at a tertiary hospital over 6 years. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted from March 2017 to December 2023. Data on demographics, clinical, and SPT results for ten common allergens were extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS version 28. Both descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used as appropriate and multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with SPT positivity. Results: The study included 103 children with a median age of 4 years (IQR 2–6). The overall prevalence of sensitization to at least one allergen was 26.2% (27/103). House dust mite was the most prevalent allergen (16.5%), followed by grass (6.8%) and herbs (5.8%). Polysensitization (≥2 allergens) was observed in 37.0% of SPT-positive children. In multivariable analysis, independent predictors of a positive SPT were age 5–10 years (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.05–8.39) and a family history of allergy (AOR = 3.03; 95% CI: 1.08–8.53). Conclusion: A significant proportion of children on follow-up who were tested with SPT showed sensitization to common allergens, predominantly house dust mites. Age and family history were key risk factors. These findings underscore the need for standardized allergy testing and targeted preventive strategies in similar clinical settings in Ethiopia. Keywords: SPT, allergy test, children, Ethiopia