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Background: Desert dust storm (DDS) events have been associated with increased morbidity among asthmatic children. The MEDEA asthma randomised trial aimed to assess the impact of exposure reduction interventions on asthma symptom control during DDS events among asthmatic schoolchildren in Cyprus.

Methods: Asthmatic schoolchildren aged 6-11 years were randomised into three groups: (a) No Intervention (controls) (b) Outdoor Intervention (early warning dissemination, guidance to stay indoors and limit outdoor physical activity), (c) Combined Intervention (same as (b) in combination with indoor air purification in houses and classrooms). The study ran during the high DDS season of 2019 and 2021 and the impact on asthma symptom control was quantified at monthly intervals using the childhood Asthma Control Test (c-ACT). Skin prick testing to common aeroallergens was used to define atopy status …