DIAFTEXAMYR is a 2-digit-numeric variable.

53: 53+ times
96: NIU
97: Unknown-refused
98: Unknown-not ascertained
99: Unknown-don't know

Description

For sample adults who were ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had diabetes (other than during pregnancy) (DIABETICEV), DIAFTEXAMYR reports the number of times that a health professional had checked their feet for any sores or irritations during the past 12 months.

Diabetes can lead to nerve damage and circulation problems that prevent diabetics from noticing a cut or wound on the foot until serious infection develops, potentially leading to complications like gangrene or amputation. Sources such as Web M.D. and the Centers for Disease Control website on diabetes suggest that diabetics should do a daily self-check of their feet to catch problems early, have their feet examined at every doctor visit, and ask their health care provider to check their feet at least every 2 to 3 months.

The 2003 survey also collected information on how often sample adults ever diagnosed with diabetes (other than during pregnancy) did self examinations of their feet. DIAFTEXAMTP reports the time unit respondents used when reporting answers to a question about how often they checked their feet for sores or irritations; DIAFTEXAMNO reports the number of such units reported; and DIAFTEXAMWK recodes these data into a standard time scale of times per week that respondents checked their feet for sores.

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

Comparability

This variable is fully comparable between 1999 and 2003.

Universe

Availability

• 1999, 2003

Weights

• 1999, 2003 : SAMPWEIGHT