Asthma and allergic rhinitis were analyzed in a random sample of school children (n=6174) residing in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood methodology was applied through a standardized questionnaire. The sample was obtained with a bietapic design. Cumulative prevalence of asthma and wheezing was 6.8% (95% CI 6.2, 7.4) and 20% (95% of CI 19.7, 21.8) respectively; the prevalence of rhinitis was 5.0% (95% CI 4.5, 5.6). Family history of asthma odds ratio (OR) 2.33 (95% CI 1.78-3.05), respiratory infection after birth (OR) 3.44 (95% CI 2.76-4.29), and exposure to environmental tobacco (OR) 1.35 (95% CI 1.06-1.68) were the strongest risk factors for asthma and allergic rhinitis. The multifactorial etiology of asthma and allergic rhinitis was confirmed, as well as the importance of early exposure to environmental factors.