Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice towards allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) in parents with children having allergic rhinitis (AR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire survey at the Wuxi Children’s Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models and linear regression models were performed to explore the factors associated with AIT in parents. RESULTS: Overall, 450 parents were respondents, of whom 289 (64.22%) were female. The mean scores for knowledge and practice were 9.57 ± 3.05 and 14.66 ± 3.52. The median score of attitudes was 31. Higher knowledge scores (β = 1.66, 95%CI: 0.04 to 3.29) were associated with a positive parental attitude, while factors such as bronchial asthma in children (β = -3.88, 95%CI: -6.46 to -1.31), other comorbidities (β = -1.43, 95%CI: -2.34 to -0.52), and a family history of AR (β = -0.90, 95%CI: -1.68 to -0.12) negatively influenced the attitude toward AIT. Importantly, a positive attitude (β = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.18 to -0.35) was related to higher adherence rates to AIT among children. CONCLUSION: The study suggests a moderate level of knowledge and practice towards AIT among parents of children with AR, with a positive attitude towards treatment. The correlation between attitude and practice underscores the importance of targeted educational initiatives to enhance understanding and adherence to AIT. Addressing the identified barriers and misconceptions can pave the way for better management of AR, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for affected children. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12887-026-06542-x.