Description

For sample persons age 18 and over who did not refuse the normative bowel function questions, this variable indicates if the respondent had lot of trouble with backaches in past 12 months. The Field Representative's manual did not provide a definition of backache and the term was assumed to be respondent defined.

As indicated above, BACHETRUBYR was part of a section on normative bowel functions. Interviewers prefaced this section with the statement, "The next questions are about bowel habits during the past 12 months. Because these questions are personal, I can read the questions to you or if you prefer, you can fill them out yourself." The question for BACHETRUBYR was then introduced to the respondent by handing them a card with a list 18 of health problems to which they respondent would reply "yes" or no as to whether the condition was "a lot of trouble.""A lot of trouble" was defined as the respondent saw or talked to a doctor or other health professional, took medication more than once, or the problem interfered with their life or usual activities.

For a list of variables from the 1989 section on normative bowel functions, see the variable description for ABGASTRUBYR.

Comparability

This variable has no comparability issues.

Universe

Availability

• 1989

Weights

• 1989 : SUPP2WT