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Calendar Year 2001 Results

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

2001 BRFSS Topics for North Carolina

*Results for the core questions related to Diabetes and Disability are included with the module of the same name.

BRFSS 2001 Annual Results Technical Notes

Health Status (see questions for 2000)

• Would you say that in general your health is:
• Now thinking about your physical health, which includes physical illness and injury, for how many days during the past 30 days, was your physical health not good?
• Now thinking about your mental health, which includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions, for how many days during the past 30 days was your mental health not good?
• During the past 30 days, for about how many days did poor physical or mental health keep you from doing your usual activities, such as self-care, work, or recreation?

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Health Care Access (see questions for 2000)

• Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare?
• During the past 12 months, was there any time that you did not have any health insurance or coverage?
• Do you have one person you think of as your personal doctor or health care provider?

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Exercise (see questions for 2000)

• During the past month, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?

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Hypertension Awareness

• Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you have high blood pressure?
• Are you currently taking medicine for your high blood pressure?

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Cholesterol Awareness

• Blood cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. Have you ever had your blood cholesterol checked?
• About how long has it been since you last had your blood cholesterol checked?
• Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that your blood cholesterol is high?
• Cholesterol check within the last five years

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Asthma (see questions for 2000)

• Did a doctor ever tell you that you had asthma?
• Do you still have asthma?

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Arthritis (see questions for 2000)

• During the past 12 months, have you had pain, aching, stiffness or swelling in or around a joint?
• Were these symptoms present on most days for at least one month?
• Are you now limited in any way in any activities because of joint symptoms?
• Have you ever seen a doctor, nurse, or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
• Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have arthritis?
• Are you currently being treated by a doctor for arthritis?

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Immunization (see questions for 2000)

• During the past 12 months, have you had a flu shot?
• Have you ever had a pneumonia shot? This shot is usually given only once or twice in a person's lifetime and is different from the flu shot. It is also called the pneumococcal vaccine.

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Tobacco Use (see questions for 2000)

• Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?
• Do you now smoke cigarettes everyday, some days, or not at all?
• During the past 12 months, have you stopped smoking for one day or longer because you were trying to quit smoking?
• Smoking Status
• Current Smoker

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Alcohol Consumption

• A drink of alcohol is 1 can or bottle of beer, 1 glass of wine, 1 can or bottle of wine cooler, 1 cocktail, or 1 shot of liquor. During the past 30 days, how often have you had at least one drink of any alcoholic beverage?
• On the days when you drank, about how many drinks did you drink on the average?
• Considering all types of alcoholic beverages, how many times during the past 30 days did you have 5 or more drinks on an occasion?
• Drinking alcohol in the past 30 days
• Binge Drinking
• Heavy Drinking

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Firearms

• Are any firearms now kept in or around your home? Include those kept in a garage, outdoor storage area, car, truck, or other motor vehicle.

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Physical Activity (see questions for 2000)

• When you are at work, which of the following best describes what you do? Would you say:
• Now, thinking about the moderate physical activities you do when you are not working (if employed or self-employed) in a usual week, do you do moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, such as brisk walking, bicycling, vacuuming, gardening, or anything else that causes small increases in breathing or heart rate?
• How many days per week do you do these moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time?
• On days when you do moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?
• Now thinking about the vigorous physical activities you do (when you are not working, if employed or self-employed) in a usual week, do you do vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, such as running, aerobics, heavy yard work, or anything else that causes large increases in breathing or heart rate?
• How many days per week do you do these vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes at a time?
• On days when you do vigorous activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?
• Moderate Physical Activity
• Vigorous Physical Activity
• Leisure Time Physical Activity
• Physical Activity Recommendation Status

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Prostate Cancer Screening

• A Prostate-Specific Antigen test, also called a PSA test, is a blood test used to check men for prostate cancer. Have you ever had a PSA test?
• How long has it been since you had your last PSA test?
• A digital rectal exam is an exam in which a doctor, nurse, or other health professional places a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the size, shape, and hardness of the prostate gland. Have you ever had a digital rectal exam?
• How long has it been since you had your last digital rectal exam?
• Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had prostate cancer?
• Has your father, brother, son, or grandfather ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or health professional that he had prostate cancer?

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Colorectal Cancer Screening

• A blood stool test is a test that may use a special kit at home to determine whether the stool contains blood. Have you ever had this test using a home kit?
• How long has it been since you had your last blood stool test using a home kit?
• Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are exams in which a tube is inserted in the rectum to view the bowel for signs of cancer or other health problems. Have you ever had either of these exams?
• How long has it been since you had your last sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy?

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HIV/AIDS (see questions for 2000)

• I'm going to read two statements about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. After I read each one, please tell me whether you think it is true or false, or if you don't know.
  1. A pregnant woman with HIV can get treatment to help reduce the chances that she will pass the virus on to her baby
  2. There are medical treatments available that are intended to help a person who is infected with HIV to live longer.
• How effective do you think these treatments are helping persons with HIV to live longer? Would you say:
• How important do you think it is for people to know their HIV status by getting tested? Would you say:
• As far as you know, have you ever been tested for HIV? Do not count tests you may have had as part of a blood donation.
• What was the main reason you had your test for HIV?
• Where did you have the HIV test?
• In the past 12 months has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional talked to you about preventing sexually transmitted diseases through condom use?

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Diabetes (see questions for 2000)

• Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?
• How old were you when you were told you have diabetes?
• Are you now taking insulin?
• Are you now taking diabetes pills?
• About how often do you check your blood for glucose or sugar? Include times when checked by a family member or friend, but do not include times when checked by a health professional.
• About how often do you check your feet for any sores or irritations? Include times when checked by a family member or friend, but do not include times when checked by a health professional.
• Have you ever had any sores or irritations on your feet that took more than four weeks to heal?
• About how many times in the last year have you seen a doctor, nurse, or other health professional for your diabetes?
• A test for hemoglobin 'A one C' measures the average level of blood sugar over the past three months. About how many times in the past 12 months has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional checked you for hemoglobin 'A one C'?
• About how many times in the last year has a health professional checked your feet for any sores or irritations?
• When was the last time you had an eye exam in which the pupils were dilated? This would have made you temporarily sensitive to bright light.
• Has a doctor ever told you that diabetes has affected your eyes or that you had retinopathy?
• Have you ever taken a course or class in how to manage your diabetes yourself?

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Oral Health

• How long has it been since you last visited a dentist or a dental clinic for any reason?
• How many of your permanent teeth have been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease? Do not include teeth lost for other reasons, such as injury or orthodontics.
• How long has it been since you had your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist?
• What is the main reason you have not visited the dentist in the past year?
• Do you have any kind of insurance coverage that pays for some or all of your routine dental care, including dental insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicaid?

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Heart Attack or Stroke

• Which of the following do you think is a symptom of a heart attack. For each, tell me yes, no, or you're not sure.
  1. Do you think pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back are symptoms of a heart attack?
  2. Do you think feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint are symptoms of a heart attack?
  3. Do you think chest pain or discomfort are symptoms of a heart attack?
  4. Do you think sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes is a symptom of a heart attack?
  5. Do you think pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder are symptoms of a heart attack?
  6. Do you think shortness of breath is a symptom of a heart attack?
• Which of the following do you think is a symptom of a stroke. For each, tell me yes, no, or you're not sure
  1. Do you think sudden confusion or trouble speaking are symptoms of a stroke?
  2. Do you think sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side, are symptoms of a stroke?
  3. Do you think sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes is a symptom of a stroke?
  4. Do you think sudden chest pain or discomfort are symptoms of a stroke?
  5. Do you think sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance are symptoms of a stroke?
  6. Do you think severe headache with no known cause is a symptom of a stroke?
• If you thought someone was having a heart attack or a stroke, what is the first thing you would do?

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Cardiovascular Disease

• To lower your risk of developing heart disease or stroke, are you....
  1. Eating fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods?
  2. Eating more fruits and vegetables?
  3. More physically active?
• Within the past 12 months, has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional told you to...
  1. Eating fewer high fat or high cholesterol foods?
  2. Eating more fruits and vegetables?
  3. More physically active?
• Has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional ever told you that you had any of the following?
  1. A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction
  2. Angina or coronary heart disease
  3. A stroke
• History of Any Cardiovascular Diseases (heart attack or coronary heart disease or stroke)
• At what age did you have your first heart attack?
• At what age did you have your first stroke?
• After you left the hospital following your heart attack or stroke, did you go to any kind of outpatient rehabilitation? This is sometimes called "rehab."
• Do you take aspirin daily or every other day?
• Do you have a health problem or condition that makes taking aspirin unsafe for you?
• Why do you take aspirin...
  • To relieve pain?
  • To reduce the chance of a heart attack?
  • To reduce the chance of a stroke?

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Fruits and Vegetables (see questions for 2000)

• How often do you drink fruit juices such as orange, grapefruit, or tomato?
• Not counting juice, how often do you eat fruit?
• How Often Do You Eat Green Salad?
• How often do you eat potatoes not including French fries, fried potatoes, or potato chips?
• How Often Do You Eat Carrots?
• Not counting carrots, potatoes, or salad, how many servings of vegetables do you usually eat?
• Fruit and Vegetable Consumption per day

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Folic Acid (see questions for 2000)

• Do you currently take any vitamin pills or supplements?
• Are any of these a multivitamin?
• Do any of the vitamin pills or supplements you take contain folic acid?
• Some health experts recommend that women take 400 micrograms of the B vitamin folic acid, for which of the following reasons....
• Taking multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid
• Daily taking multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid
• Currently taking multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid - FEMALES, Age 18-44
• Daily consumption of multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid - FEMALES, Age 18-44

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Tobacco Indicators

• How old were you the first time you smoked a cigarette, even one or two puffs?
• How old were you when you first started smoking cigarettes regularly?
• About how long has it been since you last smoked cigarettes regularly?
• In the past 12 months, have you seen a doctor, nurse, or other health professional to get any kind of care for yourself?
• In the past 12 months, has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional advised you to quit smoking?
• Which statement best describes the rules about smoking inside your home?
• Which of the following best describes your place of works' official smoking policy for indoor public or common areas, such as lobbies, rest rooms, and lunchrooms?
• Which of the following best describes your place of works' official smoking policy for work areas?
• Worksites prohibit smoking in both public and work areas

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Other Tobacco Products

• Have you ever used or tried any smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco or snuff?
• Do you currently use chewing tobacco or snuff every day, some days, or not at all?
• Have you ever smoked a cigar, even one or two puffs?
• Do you now smoke cigars every day, some days, or not at all?
• Have you ever smoked tobacco in a pipe, even one or two puffs?
• Do you now smoke a pipe every day, some days, or not at all?
• A bidi is a flavored cigarette from India.. Have you ever smoked a bidi, even one or two puffs?
• Do you now smoke bidis every day, some days, or not at all?
• Smokeless Tobacco Use Status

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Other Tobacco Counseling

• During the past 12 months, have you stopped using tobacco products i.e. chewing tobacco or snuff, cigars, or a pipe) for one day or longer because you were trying to quit?
• In the past 12 months, has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional advised you to quit using tobacco products i.e. chewing tobacco or snuff, cigars, or a pipe)?

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Substance Abuse

• Have you ever received counseling or treatment for a substance abuse problem including alcohol?
• In the past five years, have you ever been arrested for driving while impaired?
• Has any close family member received treatment for a substance abuse problem?

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Health Care Coverage and Utilization

• Is there one particular clinic, health center, doctor's office, or other place that you usually go to if you are sick or need advice about your health?
• What kind of place is it:?
• Was there a time during the last 12 months when you needed to see a doctor, but could not because of the cost?

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Cancer Prevalence

• Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had cancer?
• What type of cancer was/is it?
  • Prostate:
  • Breast:
  • Colorectal:
  • Skin:
  • Other:

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Skin Cancer

• In the past 12 months, have you tried to get a tan using a tanning lamp or tanning machine, whether it was at a tanning salon, at your home, or elsewhere?
• In the past 12 months, have you tried to get a tan from the sun?
• When you're outdoors during the summer for at least half an hour, how often do you protect your skin from the sun, such as by using sunscreens or sunblock or wearing hats or protective clothing? Would you say:
• Earlier you said you had child/children under age 18. Are any of the child/children under age 13?
• When the youngest child in your household is outdoors during the summer for at least half an hour, how often is his or her skin protected from the sun, such as by using sunscreens or sunblock or wearing hats or protective clothing? Would you say:
• The next question is about sunburns, including any time that even a small part of your skin was red for more than 12 hours. Have you had a sunburn within the past 12 months?
• Including times when even a small part of your skin was red for more than 12 hours, how many sunburns have you had within the past 12 months?

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Hypertension Screening

• About how long has it been since you last had your blood pressure taken by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional?

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Osteoporosis Prevention

• Has a doctor or other health professional ever talked with you about preventing osteoporosis or its complications through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise?
• Are you taking any vitamin pills or supplements that contain calcium, to lower your risk of osteoporosis or weak bones?

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Alternative Medicine

• Have you ever used any kind of medicinal herbs, such as Ginseng, St. John's wort, or Echinacea?
• Did you use these medicinal herbs to:
  • Treat illness?
  • Prevent illness?
  • Maintain health?
  • Do you currently use any medicinal herb?
  • Have you ever discussed your use of medicinal herbs with your primary care doctor or health care provider?
  • Have you ever given your children any medicinal herb products in the past 12 months?

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Disability (see questions for 2000)

• Are you limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems?
• Do you now have any health problem that requires you to use special equipment, such as a cane, a wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone?
• A disability can be physical, mental, emotional, or communication related. Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
• When did your disability begin?
• Because of any impairment or health problem, do you have any trouble learning, remembering, or concentrating?
• What is the farthest distance you can walk by yourself, without any special equipment or help from others?
• What is your major impairment or health problem?
• For how long have your activities been limited because of your major impairment or health problem?
• Because of any impairment or health problem, do you need the help of other persons with your PERSONAL CARE needs, such as eating, bathing, dressing, or getting around the house?
• Because of any impairment or health problem, do you need the help of other persons in handling your ROUTINE NEEDS, such as everyday household chores, doing necessary business, shopping, or getting around for other purposes?
• Is there anyone else)in your household who is limited in any way in any activities because of any physical, mental, or emotional problem or who uses special equipment?
• How much does your disability, impairment, or health problem limit the amount or type of work you can do at a job, at school, or around the house? Would you say:
• How much does your disability, impairment, or health problem limit you in other activities, such as sports, social and community life, or family life? Would you say:
• Disability Status

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Quality of Life (see questions for 2000)

• How often do you get the social and emotional support that you need? Would you say:
• In general, how satisfied are you with your life? Would you say:
• During the past 30 days, for about how many days did PAIN make it hard for you to do your usual activities, such as self-care, work, or recreation?
• During the past 30 days, for about how many days have you felt SAD, BLUE, or DEPRESSED?
• During the past 30 days, for about how many days have you felt WORRIED, TENSE, or ANXIOUS?
• During the past 30 days, for about how many days have you felt that you did not get ENOUGH REST or SLEEP?
• During the past 30 days, for about how many days have you felt VERY HEALTHY and FULL OF ENERGY?

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Family Planning (see questions for 2000)

• Have you had a hysterectomy?
• To your knowledge, are you now pregnant?
• Have you been pregnant in the past five years?
• Thinking back to your last pregnancy, just before you got pregnant, how did you feel about becoming pregnant?
• Are you or your husband/partner using any kind of birth control now? Birth control means having your tubes tied, vasectomy, the pill, condoms, diaphragm, foam, rhythm, Norplant, shots (Depo-Provera) or [any way] to keep from getting pregnant.
• What kinds of birth control are you or your husband/partner from core using now?
• What are your reasons for not using any birth control now?
• Where is your usual source of services for female health concerns, such as family planning, annual exams, breast exams, tests for sexually transmitted diseases, and other female health concerns? Would you say:
• Have you ever used the services at a family planning clinic?
• How long has it been since you used the services at family planning clinic?

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Sexual Behavior

• During the past 12 months, with how many people have you had sexual intercourse?
• Was a condom used the last time you had sexual intercourse?
• The last time you had sexual intercourse, was the condom used ...
• Some people use condoms to keep from getting infected with HIV through sexual activity. How effective do you think a properly used condom is for this purpose? Would you say:

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Sexual Assault/Physical Violence (see questions for 2000)

• Has a stranger ever forced you to have sex or to do sexual things?
• Has a partner or ex-partner ever forced you to have sex or to do sexual things? By partner, I mean your current or (ex-husband/wife) or (boyfriend/girlfriend).
• Has someone you knew, not including a partner or ex-partner, ever forced you to have sex or to do sexual things?
• Ever Sexually Assaulted
• Has a stranger ever pushed, hit, slapped, kicked, or physically hurt you in any other way?
• Has a partner or ex-partner ever pushed, hit, slapped, kicked, or physically hurt you in another way? By partner, I mean your current or ex-(husband/wife) or (boyfriend/girlfriend).
• Has someone you knew, not including a partner or ex-partner, ever pushed, hit, slapped, kicked, or physically hurt you in any other way?
• Ever Physically Assaulted

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Risk Factors

• Body Mass Index Grouping-Underweight, Recommended Range, Overweight and Obese
• Overweight or Obese
• Cholesterol check within the last five years
• Smoking Status
• Current Smoker
• Smokeless Tobacco Use Status
• Worksites prohibit smoking in both public and work areas
• Drinking alcohol in the past 30 days
• Binge Drinking
• Heavy Drinking
• Moderate Physical Activity
• Vigorous Physical Activity
• Leisure Time Physical Activity
• Physical Activity Recommendation Status
• History of Any Cardiovascular Diseases (heart attack or coronary heart disease or stroke)
• Fruit and Vegetable Consumption per day
• Currently taking multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid
• Daily consumption of multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid
• Currently taking multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid - FEMALES, Age 18-44
• Daily consumption of multivitamins or vitamin pills/supplements containing folic acid - FEMALES, Age 18-44
• Disability Status
• Ever Sexually Assaulted
• Ever Physically Assaulted

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