Survey Results

Survey Items: K6Q12; K6Q13A; K6Q13B; K6Q14A; K6Q14B

Denominator: Children age 10 months-5 years who had a health care visit in the past 12 months

Numerator: Parent did not complete Standardized Developmental Screening tool; Parent completed Standardized Developmental Screening tool

Revisions and Changes: Same as the 2007 NSCH; may compare across survey years with special attention to the addition of cell phones in the 2011/12 NSCH sample.

Additional Notes: Indicator 4.16 uses age-appropriate questions to verify whether young children received standardized developmental, behavioral and social screening using a parent-reported, standardized screening tool or instrument.
Parent respondents for all children between 10 months and 5 years old were asked whether they completed a questionnaire about their child’s development, communication or social behaviors during the previous 12 months (K6Q12). If the response to K6Q12 was “Yes”, parents were asked if the questionnaire covered language or social development (K6Q13 and K6Q13A, respectively, for ages 10-23 months, and K6Q14A and K6Q14B for ages 2-5years).
This 3-item measure to assess whether screening occurs was developed by the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI), with funding from the Commonwealth Fund and in conjunction with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Further information may be viewed on the CAHMI website - CAHMI website– or by contacting CAHMI at cahmi@ohsu.edu.

Treatment of Unknown Values: Unknown values (responses coded as 'refused', 'don't know', or system missing) are not included in the denominator when calculating prevalence estimates and weighted population counts displayed in the data query results table. In nearly every case, the proportion of unknown values is less than 1% and the exclusion of these values does not change the prevalence estimates (%) and only marginally affects the weighted population counts (Weighted Est.). Exceptions are noted in the form of a “Data Alert” at the bottom of a results table.

History and Development: The Maternal and Child Health Bureau leads the development of the NSCH survey and indicators, in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and a national technical expert panel. The expert panel includes representatives from other federal agencies, state Title V leaders, family organizations, and child health researchers. Previously validated questions and scales are used when available. Respondents’ cognitive understanding of the survey questions is assessed during the pretest phase and revisions made as required. All final data components are verified by NCHS and DRC/CAHMI staff prior to public release. The samples in 2003 and 2007 were drawn by random digit dial telephone sampling. The 2011/12 survey included the addition of cell phones to the sample. This has implications for the comparability of items between 2007 and 2011/12. More information can be found in the “Learn About the Surveys” section of this website.