Influence of negative factors of the living environment on respiratory diseases in children

: An epidemiological survey was made in 9 cities and towns of Russia to study the influence of negative characteristics of an inhabited place on respiratory diseases in children. About 6,000 questionnaires questioning the living conditions of young children were filled in. The questionnaire pays a particular attention to frequent leakages and mould in the flats. To study the children's health status, a number of questions of the questionnaire were devoted to the present of some respiratory and allergic diseases (symptoms) reflecting the influence of unfavorable factors within the inhabited place. The logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the characteristics of the inhabited place of schoolchildren and the presence of respiratory and allergic diseases. A significant relationship was established between the frequent leakages, the presence of mould in the rooms, and the risk for bronchial asthma, persistent productive cough, persistent stertorous respiration, respiratory infections and any manifestations of allergic reactions in children.