Sensitization to airborne allergens in the adult Cameroonian population

Respiratory allergies represent a major global public health concern.

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with sensitization to common airborne allergens in the adult Cameroonian population.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from December 2013 to April 2018. Participants aged 18 years or older were recruited through 3-stage cluster sampling in community settings. Sensitization to airborne allergens was assessed by using skin prick tests. Log-binomial regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with sensitization.

Of the 870 participants, 458 (52.6%) were women. Their median age was 38 years (interquartile range = 30 years). Of the 879 participants, 602 (69.2%) resided in rural or semiurban areas. The prevalence of sensitization to airborne allergens was 19.4% (95% CI = 16.8%-22.0%). Sensitization to common mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Blomia tropicalis) was observed in 55.2%, 53.8%, and 42.6% of the participants, respectively. Among the 169 sensitized individuals, the prevalence of monosensitization was 42.6% (95% CI = 35.1%-50.1%) and the prevalence of polysensitization was 57.4% (95% CI = 49.9%-64.8%). Independent factors associated with sensitization were urban residence (prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.8 [95% CI = 1.8- 4.2]; P = .001), current asthma (PR = 2.4 [95% CI = 1.3- 4.5]; P = .004), and current allergic rhinitis (PR = 2.5 [95% CI = 1.4-4.7]; P = .001).

The prevalence of sensitization to airborne allergens in Cameroonian adults was 19.4%. Independent factors associated with sensitization to allergens included urban residence, current asthma, and current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. These findings emphasize the need for public health strategies addressing sensitization to dust mite allergen in managing allergic diseases.