Directory: Health
National Population Health Survey

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Abstract:
The National Population Health Survey (NPHS) used the Labour Force
Survey sampling frame to draw the initial sample of approximately 20,000
households starting in 1994 and for the sample top-up this third cycle.
The survey is conducted every two years. The sample collection is
distributed over four quarterly periods followed by a follow-up period
and the whole process takes a year. In each household, some limited
health information is collected from all household members and one
person in each household is randomly selected for a more in-depth
interview.

The survey is designed to collect information on the health of the
Canadian population and related socio-demographic information. The first
cycle of data collection began in 1994, and continues every second year
thereafter. The survey is designed to produce both cross-sectional and
longitudinal estimates. The questionnaires includes content related to
health status, use of health services, determinants of health, a health
index, chronic conditions and activity restrictions.

The use of health services is probed through visits to health care
providers, both traditional and non-traditional, and the use of drugs
and other mediciations. Health determinants include smoking, alcohol use
and physical activity. A special focus content for this cycle includes
family medical history with questions about certain chronic conditions
among immediate family members and when they were acquired. As well, a
section on self care has also been included this cycle. The
socio-demographic information includes age, sex, education, ethnicity,
household income and labour force status.

A special component of the program is a survey designed for people
living in health care institutions, including hospitals, nursing homes,
and residential facilities for persons with disabilities. This microdata
file contains data collected in 1995 from 2287 long-term residents of
health care institutions in the provinces.

Health Canada sponsored a content buy-in to the National Population
Health Survey (NPHS) 1994/95. The buy-in was collected as a
supplementary survey for selected persons aged 12+ who are part of the
core NPHS sample. The supplements are not collected for the sample
buy-ins which were done in some provinces, and they are not collected
for the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

The information was collected quarterly, as a component of the NPHS
Computer-Assisted Interviewing application. The NPHS supplements cover a
variety of topics including nutrition, smoking, injury prevention and
safety, breast-feeding, consumption of alcohol and other drugs during
pregnancy, sexual health and health care services

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