Codes and Frequencies
Description
For all sample adults, BALPDNSTAIR indicates whether the respondent experienced any difficulty walking down a flight of stairs in the last 12 months. The questionnaire included the instructions, "Do not include times when drinking alcohol." The survey text included instructions to the interviewers to mark, "No" if respondent experienced this problem "... for reasons OTHER than dizziness or balance ... Examples include respondents who are in a wheelchair, are deaf, blind, don't have a driver's license, etc."
In 2008, the question for this variable was part of the Sample Adult Balance Supplement, sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
The supplement consisted of a total 205 questions (some of which were only asked based on a previous response). A summary of the topics included in the supplement is provided under BALDIZYR
Many other variables related to BALPDNSTAIR, such as those specifying problems, difficulties or fears related to balance, are included in the 2008 Supplement.
These include:
- muscle weakness affecting activity BALPMUSWK
- severe fatigue BALPFATIGUE
- drifting to one side when trying to walk straight BALPDRIFT
- difficulty walking in the dark BALPWALKDARK
- difficulty walking on uneven surfacesBALPUNEVEN
- difficulty walking wearing glassesBALPLENS
- blurred vision when move headBALPMOVEHEAD
- fear of heightsBALPACROPHOB
- bumping into the side of doorway when walking throughBALPBUMPDOR
- difficulty walking up stairs BALPUPSTAIR
- difficulty going over bridges BALPBRIDGE
- difficulty with escalator BALPESCALAT
- difficulty going through tunnels BALPTUNNEL
- fear of large open spaces BALPAGORPHOB
Other variables of interest may include those found under
- symptoms of dizziness or balance problems (see BALSFAINT
- the age and frequency of the most bothersome balance or dizziness problem (see BALSAGE1ST
- triggers of the most bothersome balance or dizziness problem (see BALTRIGTURN
Universe
- 2008: Sample adults age 18+.
Availability
- 2008
Weights
- 2008 : SAMPWEIGHT
