Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults over age 26 in 1987 and for persons in the National Health Interview Survey-Disability Survey (NHIS-D) Phase I sample in 1994 and 1995, POLIOEV reports whether the person has EVER been told that he or she had polio, whether or not it resulted in physical disability. Please see Comparability and Universe tabs for changes in universe and question wording between samples.
In 1994 and 1995 this variable is part of the Disability Supplement (NHIS-D) that collects information on disability. NHIS-D included two household interviews: in Phase I all members of sample families were screened for any indication of disability; in Phase II persons with any indication of disability were followed-up for additional information. Phase I includes sensory, communication, and mobility problems; health conditions; activities of daily living and independent activities of daily living; functional limitations; mental health; services and benefits; special health needs of children; early child development; education; relationship to respondent; and perceived disability. Phase II includes four Disability Followback Survey (DFS) questionnaires: one for children, one for adults, one for elderly persons (69 years of age and over) without any indication of disability (also called the Supplement on Aging or SOA; only in 1994), and one for persons with a history of polio.
"Physical disability" was left to the respondent to define. The Field Representative's Manual instructed interviewers to consider answers of "they called it infantile paralysis" as a "Yes."
The Manual included an introductory passage about Polio related questions in the 1987 survey. It noted that some survivors of paralytic polio survivors may suffer from "post-polio syndrome" which included fatigue, pain or weakness in joints or muscles, and new paralysis. The purpose of the Poliomyelitis section of the survey was to determine "the prevalence of survivors of paralytic polio, and to identify a sample of survivors of both paralytic and nonparalytic polio for a follow-up survey."
Related variables from the 1987 survey include POLIOPAREV ever had paralysis caused by polio and POLIOPARNOW, now have paralysis or any health problem caused by polio.
Comparability
Changes in universe and question wording between samples affect comparability.
In 1987, the universe included only sample persons ages 26 and older. In that year, sample persons were asked, "Were you EVER told by a doctor or other health care professional that you had poliomyelitis, usually called 'polio', whether or not it resulted in physical disability?"
In 1994 and 1995, the universe included all persons in the National Health Interview Survey-Disability Survey (NHIS-D) Phase I sample. In those years, a household respondent was asked, "Was anyone in the family EVER told by a doctor that they had polio, whether or not it resulted in physical disability?"
Along with changes in the universe and question wording, the presence of proxy reporting in 1994 and 1995, but not in 1987, could affect responses. In the latter years, a respondent representing the family could answer this question for other family members. In 1987, except in rare cases where disability precluded self-reporting, sample adults answered the question for themselves.
Universe
- 1987: Persons age 26+.
- 1994-1995: Persons in the NHIS-D Phase I sample.
Availability
- 1987, 1994-1995
