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Calendar Year 2007 Results

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

2007 BRFSS Topics for Wayne County

BRFSS 2007 Annual Results Technical Notes

Health Status

• Would you say that in general your health is:

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Healthy Days

• 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

• 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 -Less than age 65
• Health Insurance Coverage for Those Employed for Wages (Less than age 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?
• About how long has it been since you last visited a doctor for a routine checkup?

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Exercise

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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?
• Have you ever received the hepatitis B vaccine?
• Engaged in one or more risk behaviors that can lead to hepatitis B infection.

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Tobacco Use

• 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

• 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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Veteran's Status

• Have you ever served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces,
  either in the regular military or in a National Guard or military reserve unit?

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Disability

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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?
• Was it a rapid test where you could get your results within a couple of hours?

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Emotional Support

• 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

• After you left the hospital following your heart attack did you go to any kind of outpatient rehabilitation?
• After you left the hospital following your stroke did you go to any kind of outpatient rehabilitation?
• 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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Actions to Control High Blood Pressure

• Are you now doing any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - changing your eating habits?
• Are you now doing any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - cutting down on salt?
• Are you now doing any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - reducing alcohol use?
• Has a doctor or health professional ever advised you to do any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - change your eating habits?
• Has a doctor or health professional ever advised you to do any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - cut down on salt?
• Has a doctor or health professional ever advised you to do any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - reduce alcohol use?
• Has a doctor or health professional ever advised you to do any of the following to help lower or control your high blood pressure - exercise?
• Were you told on TWO or MORE different visits to a doctor or other health professional that you had high blood pressure?

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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

• 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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Asthma Management

• An asthma management plan is a printed form that tells when to change the amount or type of medicine, when to call the doctor for advice, and when to go to the emergency room. Has a doctor or other health professional ever given you an asthma management plan?

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Folic Acid

• A multivitamin is a supplement containing several vitamins including Folic Acid. Have you taken a multivitamin sometime during the past six months?
• How would you describe how often you have taken multivitamins over the past six months?

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COPD

• Have you ever been told by a doctor or health professional that you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or chronic bronchitis?
• Have you ever been given breathing test to diagnose your COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema?
• Would you say that shortness of breath affects the quality of your life?
• Other than a routine visit, have you had to see a doctor in the past 12 months for symptoms related to shortness of breath, bronchitis, or other COPD, or emphysema flare?
• Did you have to visit an emergency room or be admitted to the hospital in the past 12 months because of your COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema?
• How many different medications do you currently take each day to help with your COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema?

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Care Giving

• 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 for 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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Smoking Cessation

• 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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Quit Now NC

• On the average, about how many cigarettes a day do you now smoke?
• Do you usually smoke regular, lights, or ultra lights?
• Are you aware of Quit Now NC smoking cessation phone lines or Quit Now websites?
• How did you hear of the Quit Now NC smoking cessation services?

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Gambling

• Have you ever played games for money, such as casino gambling, scratch card games, video poker, or the lottery?
• In the past 6 months, how often have you played any games for money?
• How much money do you usually wager on a day when you play for money?
• Do you sometimes gamble (or play for money) more than you think you should?
• Have you purchased a lottery ticket or scratch card since the establishment and operation of the North Carolina State Lottery?
• Participation in the North Carolina Lottery

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Kidney Disease

• Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you have some form of kidney disease including chronic kidney disease, nephritis, nephrosis, renal disease, or end-stage renal disease?

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Environmental Policy

• Do you believe that you would eat healthy foods and beverages more often
  if they were more available in places where you eat out?
• Do you believe you would increase your physical activity if your community had more accessible sidewalks
  or trails for walking or bicycling?

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Anxiety & Depression

• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you had little interest or pleasure in doing things?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you felt down, depressed or hopeless?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or sleeping too much?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you felt tired or had little energy?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you had a poor appetite or ate too much?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you felt bad about yourself - or that you were a failure or had let yourself or your family down?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you had trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching TV?
• Over the last 2 weeks, how many days have you moved or spoken so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that you were moving around a lot more than usual?
• Severity of Depression
• Current Depression
• Has a doctor or other healthcare provider EVER told you that you have an anxiety disorder (including acute stress disorder, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, panic disorder, phobia, post-t raumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder)?
• Has a doctor or other healthcare provider EVER told you that you have a depressive disorder (including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression)?

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Family Planning

• Some things people do to keep from getting pregnant include not having sex at certain times, using birth control methods such as the pill, Norplant, shots or Depo-provera, condoms, diaphragm, foam, IUD, having their tubes tied, or having a vasectomy. Are you or your husband/wife/partner doing anything now to keep from getting pregnant?
• What are you or your husband/wife/partner doing now to keep from getting pregnant?
• What is your main reason for not doing anything to keep you/your partner from getting pregnant?

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Sexual & Physical Violence

• 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?
• Has someone you knew, not including a partner or ex-partner, ever forced you to have sex or to do sexual things?
• 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 any other way?
• Has someone you knew, not including a partner or ex-partner, ever pushed, hit, slapped, kicked, or physically hurt you in any other way?

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Arthritis Management

• Thinking about your arthritis or joint symptoms, which of the following best describes you today?
• 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?
• Have you EVER taken an educational course or class to teach you how to manage problems related to your arthritis or joint symptoms?

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Cancer

• Has a doctor, nurse, or other health care provider ever asked you about your family history of illnesses or health problems?
• Did the doctor or health care provider then discuss with you your risk for certain diseases or health problems based on your family history?
• Which of the following diseases were discussed - Cancer?
• Which of the following diseases were discussed - Diabetes?
• Which of the following diseases were discussed - Coronary heart disease or stroke?
• Which of the following diseases were discussed - Asthma?

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Home Meals

• On how many days per week do you usually eat a main meal that is prepared at home?

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Diet

• Are you consuming smaller amounts of foods and beverages to reach or maintain a healthier weight?

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Tobacco Use Prevention

• States add a special tax to cigarettes. The national average is $0.92 and the NC tax recently increased to $0.35. How much additional tax on a pack of cigarettes, above the current 35 cents, 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 indoor dining area of restaurants, do you think that smoking should be allowed in all areas, some areas, or not allowed at all?
• Not including yourself, how many adults who live in your household smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes?

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Tobacco Opinion

• To what degree do you support a statewide policy that would prohibit all students, teachers, staff, and visitors from smoking or using tobacco products in K-12 public schools at all times?
• In the last 12 months, have you heard about or seen the North Carolina TRU (or Tobacco. Reality. Unfiltered.) media campaign directed at preventing tobacco use among youth?
• In the last 12 months, have you heard about or seen a television campaign to promote 100% Tobacco Free School policies in North Carolina?
• To what degree do you support a statewide law that would eliminate smoking in all public enclosed areas, such as restaurants, bowling alleys, shopping centers, and indoor stadiums?

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Secondhand Smoke Policy

• Is smoking allowed 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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Risk Factors and Derived Responses

• Body Mass Index Grouping-Underweight, Recommended Range, Overweight and Obese
• Adults who have a body mass index greater than 25.00 (Overweight or 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
• Worksites prohibit smoking in both public and work areas

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