Risk factors of asthma in Georgian schoolchildren.

All existing contemporary data are indicating a relatively low prevalence of asthma in Georgia. The aim of the study, which was undertaken as part of ISAAC Phase II, was to assess some potential risk factors of asthma among schoolchildren in Georgia. In this study the current wheezing was revealed in 9.2% of 9 to 11-year-old children. The presence of asthma symptoms was strongly associated with presence of symptoms of rhino-conjunctivitis (OR=8.60, 95% CI=4.82-15.33, p=0.000) and eczema (OR=5.30, 95% CI=2.80-10.04, p=0.000). The logistic regression analysis revealed that environmental factor such as dampness/moulds at home, in addition to family history of allergy, was significant risk factor for asthma in Georgia. Future epidemiological study of risk factors for asthma, at both the host and environmental level, is desirable in order to help detect strategies of allergen avoidance.