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Calendar Year 2005 Results

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

2005 BRFSS Topics for Robeson County

BRFSS 2005 Annual Results Technical Notes

Health Status (see results for 2002, 2004)

• Would you say that in general your health is:

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Healthy Days (see results for 2002, 2004)

• 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 results for 2002, 2004)

• Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare?
• Health Insurance Coverage -Age Under 65
• Health Insurance Coverage for Those Employed for Wages (Age under 65)
• Do you have one person you think of as your personal doctor or health care provider?
• 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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Exercise (see results for 2002, 2004)

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

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Diabetes (see results for 2002, 2004)

• 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 past 12 months 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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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

• 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?

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Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence

• Has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional ever told you that you had a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction?
• Has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional ever told you that you had angina or coronary heart disease?
• Has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional ever told you that you had a stroke?
• History of Any Cardiovascular Diseases (heart attack or coronary heart disease or stroke)

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Asthma (see results for 2002, 2004)

• Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had asthma?
• Do you still have asthma?

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Immunization (see results for 2002, 2004)

• During the past 12 months, have you had a flu shot?
• During the past 12 months, have you had a flu vaccine that was sprayed in your nose?
• 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.
• Where did you go to get your most recent vaccination (shot or spray)?

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Tobacco Use (see results for 2002, 2004)

• 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 (see results for 2002, 2004)

• During the past 30 days, have you had at least one drink of any alcoholic beverage such as beer, wine, a malt beverage, or liquor?
• During the past 30 days, how many days per week or per month did you have at least one drink of any alcoholic beverage?
• One drink is equivalent to a 12 ounce beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine, or a drink with one shot of liquor.
  During the past 30 days, 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?
• During the past 30 days, what is the largest number of drinks you had on any occasion?
• Binge Drinking
• Heavy Drinking

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Disability (see results for 2002, 2004)

• 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?
• Because of any impairment or health problem, do you have any trouble learning, remembering, or concentrating?
• Disability Status

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Arthritis Burden (see results for 2002)

• During the past 30 days, have you had any symptoms of pain, aching, or stiffness in or around a joint?
• Did your joint symptoms first begin more than 3 months ago?
• Have you ever seen a doctor or other health professional for these joint symptoms?
• Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia?
• Are you now limited in any way in any of your usual activities because of arthritis or joint symptoms?

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Fruits and Vegetables (see results for 2002)

• 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
• Consumed five or more servings of fruits or vegetables per day

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Physical Activity (see results for 2002)

• 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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HIV/AIDS (see results for 2002, 2004)

• Have you ever been tested for HIV? Do not count tests you may have had as part of a blood donation.
• Where did you have the HIV test?
• Do any of these situations apply to you in the past year: have used intravenous drugs, have been treated for a sexually transmitted or venereal disease, have given or received money or drugs in exchange for sex, had anal sex without a condom?

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Emotional Support and Life Satisfaction

• How often do you get the social and emotional support you need?
• In general, how satisfied are you with your life?

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Cardiovascular Health

• Do you take aspirin daily or every other day?
• Do you have a health problem or condition that makes taking aspirin unsafe for you?

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Heart Attack or Stroke

• Do you think pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back are symptoms of a heart attack?
• Do you think feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint are symptoms of a heart attack?
• Do you think chest pain or discomfort are symptoms of a heart attack?
• Do you think sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes is a symptom of a heart attack?
• Do you think pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder are symptoms of a heart attack?
• Do you think shortness of breath is a symptom of a heart attack?
• Identified all heart attack symptoms correctly
• Do you think sudden confusion or trouble speaking are symptoms of a stroke?
• Do you think sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side, are symptoms of a stroke?
• Do you think sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes is a symptom of a stroke?
• Do you think sudden chest pain or discomfort are symptoms of a stroke?
• Do you think sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance are symptoms of a stroke?
• Do you think severe headache with no known cause is a symptom of a stroke?
• Identified all stroke symptoms correctly
• If you thought someone was having a heart attack or a stroke, what is the first thing you would do?

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Adult Asthma History (see results for 2002)

• How old were you when you were first told by a doctor or other health professional that you had asthma?
• During the past 12 months, have you had an episode of asthma or an asthma attack?
• During the past 12 months, how many times did you visit an emergency room or urgent care center because of your asthma?
• During the past 12 months, besides emergency room visits, how many times did you see a doctor, nurse or other health professional for urgent treatment of worsening asthma symptoms?
• During the past 12 months, how many times did you see a doctor, nurse or other health professional for a routine checkup for your asthma?
• During the past 12 months, how many days were you unable to work or carry out your usual activities because of your asthma?
• During the past 30 days, how often did you have any symptoms of asthma?
• During the past 30 days, how many days did symptoms of asthma make it difficult for you to stay asleep?
• During the past 30 days, how many days did you take a prescription asthma medication to prevent an asthma attack from occurring?
• During the past 30 days, how often did you use a prescription asthma inhaler during an asthma attack to stop it?

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Osteoporosis

• Have you EVER been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you have osteoporosis?

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Smoking Cessation (see results for 2002, 2004)

• About how long has it been since you last smoked cigarettes regularly?
• In the last 12 months, how many times have you seen a doctor, nurse or other health professional to get any kind of care for yourself?
• In the last 12 months, on how many visits were you advised to quit smoking by a doctor or other health provider?
• On how many visits did your doctor, nurse or other health professional recommend or discuss medication to assist you with quitting smoking, such as nicotine gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, lozenge, or prescription medication such as Wellbutrin/Zyban/Buproprion?
• On how many visits did your doctor or health provider recommend or discuss methods and strategies other than medication to assist you with quitting smoking?

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Secondhand Smoke Policy (see results for 2002, 2004)

• Which statement best describes the rules about smoking inside your home?
• While working at your job, are you indoors most of the time?
• 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 lunch rooms?
• 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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Diabetes Screening (see results for 2004)

• Have you ever had a blood test for high sugar or diabetes?
• How long has it been since you had your last blood test for high sugar or diabetes?

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Hypertension

• 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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Diabetes Control (see results for 2002, 2004)

• A special urine test is used to detect protein or albumin and tells if your kidneys are working properly.
  When was the last time that you received a urine test for protein?
• During the past 12 months, was there any time that you did not have testing supplies (strips, lancets, meter) or diabetes medicines due to lack of money?
• In the last year, have you had a hospitalization or emergency visit due to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar?
• In the last year, have you had a hospitalization or emergency visit due to other diabetes complications?
• In the last 12 months, did a doctor, nurse or other health professional give you advice about your weight to control your diabetes or pre-diabetes?
• In the last 12 months, has a doctor, nurse or other health professional talked with you about exercise or physical activity to control your diabetes or pre-diabetes?

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Arthritis Management (see results for 2002)

• Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested losing weight to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?
• Has a doctor or other health professional EVER suggested physical activity or exercise to help your arthritis or joint symptoms?

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Prostate Cancer Screening (see results for 2002, 2004)

• 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 would you rate your understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of PSA tests?

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Colorectal Cancer Screening (see results for 2002, 2004)

• Do you think people your age or older who do not have symptoms should be tested for colon or rectal cancer?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 means not important at all and 10 means extremely important, how important do you believe it is for you personally to be screened or tested for colon or rectal cancer?
• Has a health professional ever recommended that you be tested for colon or rectal cancer?

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Tobacco Use Prevention (see results for 2004)

• States add a special tax to cigarettes. The national average is $0.84 and the NC tax is 5 cents. How much additional tax on a pack of cigarettes would you be willing to support if a considerable portion of the money raised was used to fund smoking prevention programs for our youth and provide treatment options for tobacco users who want to quit?
• In the past 12 months, have you ever asked a stranger not to smoke around you, in order to avoid exposure to their tobacco smoke?
• Not including yourself, how many adults who live in your household smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes?

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Quit Now NC (see results for 2004)

• On the average, about how many cigarettes a day do you now smoke?
• Are you aware of Quit Now NC smoking cessation phone lines or Quit Now websites?
• If yes, how did you hear of the Quit Now NC smoking cessation services?

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Care Giving (see results for 2004)

• People may provide regular care or assistance to an older adult who has a long-term illness or disability. During the past month, did you provide any such care or assistance to a family member or friend?
• What age is the person whom you are giving care?
• Did that person have a problem with memory loss or confusion or a disorder like Alzheimer's Disease?

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Risk Factors and Derived Responses (see results for 2002, 2004)

• Body Mass Index Grouping-Underweight, Recommended Range, Overweight and Obese
• Health Insurance Coverage -Age Under 65
• Health Insurance Coverage for Those Employed for Wages (Age under 65)
• Smoking Status
• Current Smoker
• Binge Drinking
• Heavy Drinking
• Disability Status
• Worksites prohibit smoking in both public and work areas

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