Description

For sample adults and sample children who had an asthma episode/attack in the past 12 months (ASTHATAKYR), ASTHPIN3MO identifies those who used prescription inhalers in the past 3 months. Interviewers asked, "During the past 3 months, have you used prescription inhalers? (Do not include over-the-counter inhalers like Primatene Mist.)"

Those who answered affirmatively to ASTHPIN3MO were asked a follow-up question about the number of canisters of prescription inhalers used (ASTHCANSNO).

Other asthma-related questions were periodically included in the survey; see ASTHMAEV for a summary of these variables currently in the IPUMS NHIS.

Comparability

This variable is only available in 1999.

Some variables available in other years deal with the use of prescription inhalers for asthma but are not fully compatible with ASTHPIN3MO. ASTHPINEV, available in 2003 only, identifies sample adults and sample children who had ever used a prescription inhaler for asthma (rather than in the past 3 months). ASTHPINQUICK, also available in 2003 only, identifies persons who used prescription inhalers for asthma in the past 3 months, but is limited to asthma medication that "gives quick relief from asthma symptoms." By contrast, ASTHPIN3MO implicitly covers prescription asthma medicine taken by inhaler to either relieve symptoms or to prevent asthma attacks.

Universe

Availability

• 1999

Weights

• 1999 : SAMPWEIGHT