ASTHMA PREVALENCE AND RISK-FACTORS IN SELECTED HEAD-START SITES IN CHICAGO

Prevalence of and risk factors for asthma were examined in 1085 Head S tart families at 18 Head Start sites in four high-risk community areas in 1994. A total of 13.9% of the families reported diagnosed asthma i n their Head Start child and 18.8% reported that their child wheezed i n the last 12 months. A total of 26.9% of respondents reported asthma in the immediate family of the child. Low birth weight (1500-2499 g), very low birth weight (<1500 g), and self-reported exposure to dampnes s or mold in the last 12 months were significantly associated with sel f-reported diagnosed asthma (OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.17-8.73), (OR = 4.5; 95% CI 1.25-16.3), and (OR = 1.94; 95% CI 1.23-3.04), respectively. Th e young age of the children in Head Start, as well as the high prevale nce of asthma in their families, suggest that the Head Start programs offer an unusual opportunity for asthma prevention programs.