Guide to Topics & Questions
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), Sample Child Core, 2011 and 2012
The NHIS is a computer-assisted personal household interview of all child and adult family members in selected households. Using a multi-stage area probability sampling design, the NHIS is conducted continuously through each year (since 1957). This guide to topics and questions uses combined items and variables from the 2011 and 2012 administration of the NHIS. Both years consist of a Core questionnaire including Family, Sample Child Core. In 2012 there were Supplements. One child from each family is randomly selected to be the Sample Child (SC) and an adult knowledgeable about the child’s health is administered the full Sample Child Core.
This guide describes the topics and questions asked in the 2012 NHIS Sample Child Core. Since the NHIS Sample Child data file can be linked to all other NHIS data files and to future year versions of the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS), many other variables are possible to include in analyses of the Sample Child Core.
*Denotes that the item is asked only in the 2012 NHIS.
CLICK on the question numbers in green text below to view the full text of the question and its response options.
SECTION 1: Child Identification
- Respondent's relationship to the child (CSRELTIV)
- Confirm child’s sex reported in the Family Core (CSPVERF_S)
- If Incorrect: Male or Female?
- Confirm child’s age recorded in the Family Core (CSPVERF_A)
- If Incorrect: How old is the child?
- Confirm child’s birthday recorded in the Family Core (CSPVERF_D)
- If Icorrect: What is the child's birthday: month, day and year?
SECTION 2: Child Health Status & Limitations
- Child’s birth weight (BWGT_LB): pounds (BWGT_OZ) or grams (BWGTMGR)
- Child’s current height (without shoes) (CHGT_IN): inches (CHGT_IN) meters (CHGT_M) centimeters (CHGT_CM)
- Child’s current weight (without shoes): pounds (CWGT_LB) kilograms (CWGT_KG)
- Has a doctor or health professional ever told you that [name] had:
- Intelectual disability, also known as mental retardation: (ADD1_2) (<2 years) (ADD_2) (2-17 years)
- Any other development delay: (ADD1_3) (<2 years) (ADD_3) (2-17 years)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (ADD_1) (2-17 years)
- Down syndrome (CONDL)
- Cerebral Palsy (CONDL)
- Muscular dystrophy (CONDL)
- Cystic fibrosis (CONDL)
- Sickle cell anemia (CONDL)
- Autism/Autism spectrum disorder (CONDL)
- Diabetes (CONDL)
- Arthritis (CONDL)
- Congenital heart disease (CONDL)
- Other heart conditions (CONDL)
- Asthma (CASHMEV)
- Does [name] still have asthma? (CASSTILL)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] had an episode of asthma or an asthma attack? (CASHYR)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did [name] have to visit and emergency room or urgent care center because of [his/her] asthma? (CASMERYR)
- Has [name] EVER had chickenpox? (CPOX)
- Has [name] had chickenpox DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS? (CPOX12MO)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has a doctor or other health professional told you that [name] had
- Hypertension, also called high blood pressure (CHPYR) (6-17 years) *
- Does [name] take prescription medication to control [his/her] blood pressure? ( CHYPMED)*
- High cholesterol (CCHLYR) (6-17 years)*
- Influenza or pneumonia (CFLUPNYR) (4-17 years)*
- Constipation severe enough to require medication (CCONMED) (4-17 years)*
- Sinusitis (CSINYR) (4-17 years)*
- Strep throat or tonsillitis (CSTREPYR) (4-17 years)*
- Depression (CDEPRSYR) (6-17 years)*
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] had any of the following conditions:
- Hay fever: (CCONDT1_1) (0-2 years) (CCONDT1_1) (3-17 years)
- Any kind of respiratory allergy ( CCONDT1_2) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_2) (3-17 years)
- Any kind of food or digestive allergy (CCONDT1_3) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_3) (3-17 years)
- Eczema or any kind of skin allergy (CCONDT1_4) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_4) (3-17 years)
- Frequent or repeated diarrhea or colitis (CCONDT1_5) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_5) (3-17 years)
- Anemia (CCONDT1_6) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_6) (3-17 years)
- Three or more ear infections (CCONDT1_8) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_8) (3-17 years)
- Seizures (CCONDT1_9) (0-2 years) (CCONDT_9) (3-17 years)
- Frequent or severe headaches, including migraines (CCONDT_7) (3-17 years)
- Stuttering or stammering (CCONDT_10) (3-17 years)
- Recurring headache, other than migraine (CHEADYR) (6-17 years)*
- Adbominal pain (CABDOMYR) (6-17 years)*
- Neck pain (CPAINECK) (6-17 years)*
- Low back pain (CPAINLB) (6-17 years)*
- Other muscle or bone pain (CMUSCLYR) (6-17 years)*
- Any severe sprains or strains ( CSPNYR) 6-17 years)*
- Dental pain (CDENYR) (6-17 years)*
- Other chronic pain (CPNOTHYR) (6-17 years)*
- Problems with being overweight (COVRWTYR) (6-17 years)*
- Sore throat other than strep or tonsillitis (CTHOTHYR) (4-17 years)*
- Fever more than one day (CFEVRYR) (4-17 years)*
- A head or chest cold (CCOLDYR) (4-17 years)*
- Nausea and/or vomiting (CNAUSYR) (4-17 years)*
- Fatigue or lack of energy more than three days (CFATIGYR)(4-17 years)*
- Regularly had excessive sleepiness during the day (CFATYR) (4-17 years)*
- Regularly had insomnia or trouble sleeping (CINSYR) (4-17 years)*
- Frequently felt anxious, nervous, or worried (CANXNWYR) (4-17 years)*
- Frequently felt stressed (CSTRESYR) (6-17 years)*
- Menstrual problems such as heavy bleeding, bothersome cramping, or premenstrual syndrome (also called PMS) (MENSTYR) (girls 10-17 years)*
- Gynecologic problems such as vaginal infection (CGYNYR) (girls 10-17 years)*
- Has a representative from a school or a health professional ever told you that [name] had a learning disability? (LEARND) (3-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 30 DAYS, has [name] had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint? (CJNTSYMP) (6-17 years)
- Compared with 12 months ago, would you say [name]'s health is now better, worse, or about the same? (CHSTATYR)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS about how many days did [name] miss school because of illness or injury? (SCHDAYR) (5-17 years)
- Did [name] have any of the following health problems that started DURING THE LAST 2 WEEKS?
- head cold or chest cold (CCOLD2W)
- stomach or intestinal illness with vomiting or diarrhea (CINTIL2W )
- Which statement best describes [name]'s hearing without a hearing aid: Excellent, good, a little trouble hearing, moderate trouble, a lot of trouble, or is [name] deaf? (CHEARST1)
- Does [name] have any trouble seeing [even when wearing glasses or contact lenses]? (CVISION)
- Is [name] blind or unable to see at all? (CBLIND )
- Does [name] have any impairment or health problem that requires [he/she] to use special equipment, such as a brace, a
wheelchair, or a hearing aid (excluding ordinary eyeglasses or corrective shoes)? (IHSPEQ) - Does [name] have an impairment or health problem that limits [his/her] ability to (crawl), walk, run, or play? (IHMOB)
- Is this an impairment or health problem that has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or longer? (IHMOBYR)
- Does [name] NOW have a problem for which [he/she] has regularly taken prescription medication for at least three months? (PROBRX)
- I am going to read a list of items that describe children. For each one, tell me if it has been NOT TRUE, SOMETIMES TRUE, or OFTEN TRUE, of [name] DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS
For male children 2-3 years:
For female children 2-3 years:
SECTION 3: Child Access to Health Care & Utilization
- Is there a place that [name] USUALLY goes when [he/she] is sick or you need advice about [his/her] health? (CUSUALPL)
- [What kind of place is it / What kind of place does [name] go to most often] - a clinic, doctor's office, emergency room, or some other place? (CPLKIND)
- Is that [fill1: CPLKIND/CAU.030] the same place [name] USUALLY goes when [he/she] needs routine or preventive
care, such as a physical examination or (well baby/child) check-up? (CHCPLROU) - If NO: What kind of place does [name] USUALLY go to when [he/she] needs routine or preventive care, such as a physical examination or (well baby/child) check-up? (CHCPLKND)
If child has one or more place to go when sick/need advice [or who reported same place as usual source of routine/preventive care]
- At any time IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS did you CHANGE the place(s) to which the child USUALLY goes for health care? (CHCCHGYR)
- Was this change for a reason related to health insurance? (CHCCHGHI)
If child does not have a usual place of care:
-
- Why doesn’t the child have a usual source of medical care? (CNOUSLPL)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did you have any trouble finding a general doctor or provider who would see the child? (CPRVTRYR)
- Were you able to find a general doctor or provider who could see the child? (CPRVTRFD)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, were you told by a doctor’s office or clinic that they would not accept the child as a new patient? (CDRNANP)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, were you told by a doctor’s office or clinic that they did not accept the child's health care coverage? (CDRNAI)
- Have you delayed getting care for the child for any of the following reasons IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS:
- You couldn't get through on the telephone (CHCDLYR1_1)
- You couldn't get an appointment soon enough ( CHCDLYR1_2)
- Once you get there, the child has to wait too long to see the doctor ( CHCDLYR1_3)
- The (clinic/doctor's office) wasn't open when you could get there (CHCDLYR1_4)
- You didn’t have transportation (CHCDLYR1_5)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, was there any time when the child NEEDED any of the following, but didn't get it because you couldn't afford it:
- About how long has it been since the child last saw a dentist? Include all types of dentists, such as orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists (CDENLONG) (1-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, that is since [12 month reference date], has anyone in the family (0-1 year)/ have you (2-17 or 0-17 years) seen or talked to any of the following health care providers about child's health?
- An optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor (someone who prescribes eyeglasses)? (CHCSYR1_2) (<2 years) (CHCSYR_2) (3-17 years)
- A foot doctor(CHCSYR1_3) (<2 years) (CHCSYR_3) (3-17 years)
- A physical therapist, speech therapist, respiratory therapist, audiologist, or occupational therapist(CHCSYR1_5) (<2 years) (CHCSYR_5) (3-17 years)
- A nurse practitioner, physician assistant or midwife (CHCSYR1_6) (<2 years) (CHCSYR_6) (3-17 years)
- A mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse, or clinical social worker (CHCSYR_1) (2-17 years)
- A chiropractor(CHCSYR_4) (2-17 years)
- A doctor who specializes in women's health (an obstetrician/gynecologist) (CHCSYR7) (girls 15-17 years)
- A medical doctor who specializes in a particular medical disease or problem (other than obstetrician/ gynecologist, psychiatrist or ophthalmologist? /other than psychiatrist or ophthalmologist)? (CHCSYR8_1)
- A general doctor who treats a variety of illnesses (a doctor in general practice, pediatrics, family medicine, or internal medicine)? (CHCSYR8_2)
- Does that doctor treat children and adults (a doctor in general practice or family medicine)? (CHCSYR10)
- Did you see or talk to this general doctor because of an emotional or behavioral problem that the child may have? (CHCSYREM)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did the child receive a well-child check-up, that is a general check-up, when [he/she] was not sick or injured? (CHPEXYR)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, HOW MANY TIMES has the child gone to a HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM about [his/her] health? (This includes emergency room visits that resulted in a hospital admission.) (CHERNOYR)
If child had 1 or more ER visits:
- Thinking about [name]’s most recent emergency room visit, did [he/she] go to the emergency room either at night or on the weekend? (CERVISND)
- Did this emergency room visit result in a hospital admission? (CERHOS)
If No to CERHOS (1st quarter of the survey) OR child had 1 or more ER visits not regarding admission status (2-4 Quarter): NOTE: In Quarters 2-4, the universe for the flowing questions was changed (for more information go to Layout document of the Sample Child file)
- Tell me which of these apply to the child’s last emergency room visit?
- Did not have another place to go (CERREAS1)
- Doctor’s office or clinic was not open (CERREAS2)
- Health provider advised that [he/she] go (CERREAS3)
- The problem was too serious for the doctor’s office or clinic (CERREAS4)
- Only hospital could help (CERREAS5)
- The emergency room is [name]’s closest provider (CERREAS6)
- [Name] gets most of [his/her] care at the emergency room (CERREAS7)
- [Name] arrived by ambulance or other emergency vehicle (CERREAS8)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did [name] receive care AT HOME from a nurse or other health care professional? (CHCHYR)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, how many months did the child receive care AT HOME? (CHCHMOYR)
- What was the total number of home visits received for [name] during [that month/those months]? (CHCHNOYR)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, HOW MANY TIMES has [name] seen a doctor or other health care professional about [his/her]
health at A DOCTOR’S OFFICE, A CLINIC, OR SOME OTHER PLACE? Do not include times [name] was hospitalized overnight, visits
to hospital emergency rooms, home visits, dental visits or telephone calls. (CHCNOYR) - DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS has [name] had SURGERY or other surgical procedures either as an inpatient or outpatient?
(CSRGYR)
- Including any times you may have already told me about, HOW MANY DIFFERENT TIMES has [name] had surgery?
(CSRGNOYR)
- About how long has it been since anyone in the family last saw or talked to a doctor or other health care professional about
[name] 's health? Include doctors seen while [he/she] was a patient in a hospital. (CMDLONG)
SECTION 4: Child Communication Disorders*
- How old was [name] when [he/she] spoke [his/her] first words other than “ma-ma” or “da-da”? (CVSLWRD) (3-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] had any problems or difficulties with [his/her] VOICE, such as too weak, hoarse, or strained that lasted for a week or longer? (CVSLVYR) (3-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] had a problem swallowing food or beverages that lasted for a week or longer? (CVSLSWYR) (3-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] had a problem speaking, such as making speech sounds correctly or stuttering that lasted for a week or longer? (CVSLSPYR) (3-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] had a problem learning, using, or understanding words or sentences that lasted for a week or longer? (CVSLLGYR) (3-17 years)
If NO to ALL items: (CVSLVYR), (CVSLSWYR), (CVSLSPYR), and (CVSLLGYR)
-
- Has [name] EVER had a voice, swallowing, speech, or language problem that lasted a week or longer? (CVSLEVER)
If YES to ALL items: (CVSLVYR) , (CVSLSWYR), (CVSLSPYR), and (CVSLLGYR)
-
- Did a health or education professional EVER tell you a diagnosis or reason for [name]’s voice, swallowing, speech, or language problem? (CVSLDG)
If YES: For which problem(s)? (CVSLDGTP)
-
-
- What diagnoses or reasons were you told caused [name]'s
- voice problems? (CVSLVDG)
- problems swallowing? (CVSLSWDG)
- speech problems? (CVSLSPDG)
- problems learning, using, or understanding words or sentences? (CVXLLGDG)
- At what age did [name] FIRST begin to have any
- voice problems? (CVSLVAG)
- problems swallowing? (CVSLSWAG)
- speech problems? (CVSLSPAG)
- problems learning, using, or understanding words or sentences? (CVSLLGAG)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, how much of a problem did [name] have with [his/her]
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did [name] receive speech language therapy or other intervention services for [his/her]
- voice problems? (CVSLVSP)
- problems swallowing? (CVSLSWSP)
- speech problems? (CVSLSPSP)
- problems using, learning or understanding words or sentences? (CVSLLGSP)
If NO:
-
-
- Did [name] EVER receive speech language therapy or other intervention services for [his/her]
- voice problems? (CVSLVPE)
- problems swallowing? (CVSLSWPE)
- speech problems? (CVSLSPPE)
- problems learning, using, or understanding words or sentences? (CVSLLGPE)
If child EVER (ever and during the past 12 months) received speech language therapy or other intervention services:
-
-
- Who provided this (for [name]'s
- voice problems)? (CVSLVHP)
- problems swallowing)? (CVSLSWHP)
- speech problems)? (CVSLSPHP)
- problems learning, using, or understanding words or sentences)? (CVSLLGHP)
SECTION 5: Child Balance*
- At what age did [name] take [his/her] first steps without support? (CBALWLK) (3-17 years)
- Does [name] have any problem standing, walking, or using [his/her] arms or legs? (CBALLIMB) (3-17 years)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] been bothered by episodes of any of the following dizziness or balance problems? (3-17 years)
- Vertigo, a spinning sensation like a Merry-Go-Round? (CBALVRTG)
- Poor balance, an unsteady or woozy feeling that makes it difficult to stand up or walk? (CBALSTED)
- Problems with body or motor coordination or clumsiness? (CBALMOTR)
- Frequent falls? (CBALFALL)
- Light-headedness, fainting, or feeling [he/she] is about to pass out? (CBALPASS)
- Any other type of balance or dizziness problems? (CALOTH)
If YES to ANY of the above:
-
- Did a doctor or other health professional EVER tell you a diagnosis or reason for [name]'s dizziness or balance problems? (CBALDGHP)
- What diagnoses or reasons were you told caused [name]'s balance or dizziness problems? (CBALDIGN)
- Did any of these episodes of dizziness or balance problems keep [name] from participating in home, school, work, or recreational activities? (CBALPART)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, how much of a problem were these episodes of dizziness or imbalance for [name]? (CBALPROB)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] seen a doctor, physical or occupational therapist, or other health care professional about these episodes of dizziness or balance problems? Include visits to the Emergency Room, hospital, or health clinics. (CBALHPYR)
- DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has [name] tried methods recommended by a doctor, physical or occupational therapist, or other health care professional for treating [his/her] episodes of dizziness or balance problems? (CBALTRET)
SECTION 6: Child Mental Health Brief Questionnaire
- I am going to read a list of items that describe children. For each item, please tell me if it has been NOT TRUE, SOMEWHAT TRUE, or CERTAINLY TRUE for [name] DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS... (4-17 years)
- is generally well behaved, usually does what adults request. (CMHMF_1)
- has many worries, or often seems worried. (CMHMF_2)
- is often unhappy, depressed or tearful. (CMHMF_3)
- gets along better with adults than with other [children/youth]. (CMHMF_4)
- has good attention span, sees chores or homework through to the end. (CMHMF_5)
- Overall, do you think that [name] has difficulties in any of the following areas: emotions, concentration, behavior, or being able to get along with other people? (CMHDIFF)
SECTION 7: Child Mental Health Services
- Has [name] had any difficulties with emotions, concentration, behavior, or getting along with others DURING THE PAST 6 MONTHS? (DIFF6M) (4-17 years)
If child had at least minor difficulties: