Description

For sample children under age six, this variable describes the number of times, in the past 12 months, the child had diarrhea severe enough that the child had to cut down for more than half of the day on the things he or she usually did. The 1991 Field Representative's Manual defined diarrhea as "loose bowel movements." At an earlier section in the survey, "things a person usually does" was defined as a person's "usual activities. For children under school age, these activities may include
"playing inside alone, playing outside with other children, spending the day at a day-care facility, etc." This definition was not routinely shared with respondents for the question for DIARRHEACUT. Interviewers were instructed to let the respondent define for themselves what usual activities should be.

Comparability

This variable has no comparability issues.

Universe

Availability

• 1991, 1998

Weights

• 1991, 1998 : SAMPWEIGHT