Magnitude of atopic dermatitis and associated factors among children in northwest Ethiopia.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that typically begins in infancy and extends into adulthood in a small proportion of cases. Around 20% of children and 5% of adults worldwide suffer from atopic dermatitis. In Ethiopia, the majority of data related to atopic dermatitis comes from single-health facility studies. Various sets of diagnostic criteria including United Kingdom Working Party's, American Academy of dermatology, and Hanifin and Rajika diagnostic criteria guide the diagnosis. The United Kingdom Working Party's validated criteria for AD developed in 1994 is one well validated for use. Atopic dermatitis, personal or family history of allergic rhinitis and asthma were included in this study. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of atopic dermatitis and identify associated factors among children attending dermatology clinics at government hospitals in Bahirdar. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023, involving 420 children attending dermatology clinics at government hospitals in Bahirdar. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data was collected through an interview-administered questionnaire, and Statistical Package for Social Science version 27.0.1 was used for data analysis. A descriptive analysis was used to characterize the study population. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with atopic dermatitis. The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was utilized to demonstrate the strength of the association, and a p value of 0.05 was declared the cut point. Of the total respondents, 225 (53.5%) were female and 322 (76.6%) were from urban areas. The magnitude of the atopic dermatitis was found to be 17.1% (95% CI 13.7-21.1). In the multivariate logistic regression model, family history of atopic disease (AOR 10.879), history of maternal asthma (AOR 9.908), maternal allergic rhinitis (AOR 4.825), maternal atopic dermatitis (AOR 9.055), paternal asthma (AOR 10.561), paternal allergic rhinitis (AOR 7.014), paternal atopic dermatitis (AOR 9.313), sibling history of atopic disease (AOR 11.750), and fewer siblings (AOR 2.250), were significant predictors of atopic dermatitis. This study revealed a high magnitude of atopic dermatitis compared to most previous national studies. Having fewer siblings, atopic disease in the family, sibling atopic dermatitis, and a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in parents emerged as independent predictors of atopic dermatitis among children. Hence, the finding underscores the urgent need to strengthen the national skin disease prevention and control services, in particular in the skin care of children related to atopic dermatitis.