Survey Results

Survey Items: Survey instrument item number for children 0-5 years: F5; for children 6-11 years: F5; for children 12-17 years: F5
Variable in public use data file: ATHOMEHC

Denominator: Children age 0-17 year who needed at home care

Numerator: Children whose families did not provide at home care on a weekly basis; Children whose family members spend less than 1 hour per week providing health care at home for this child; Children whose family members spend 1-4 hours per week providing health care at home; Children whose family members spend 5-10 hours per week providing health care at home; Children whose family members spend 11 or more hours per week providing health care at home for this child

Revisions and Changes: This question was asked in the 2009/10 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN). In the 2009/10 NS-CSHCN, responses to the question were reported in a continuous number of hours. In the 2016 NSCH, a categorical range of hours was available to select, in addition to the response, "does not need health care provided on a weekly basis". Additionally, there were changes to the wording of the question. For more information about the changes, click here.
Due to changes in the survey’s mode of data collection and sampling frame, as well as adjustments to item wording where necessary, MCHB alerts data users that it is not possible to compare estimates from the redesigned survey to those from previous iterations of the NSCH or NS-CSHCN or to conduct related trend analyses. The redesigned NSCH will support trend analyses beginning with data from 2016.

Additional Notes: This survey question defines "home health care" as changing bandages, and providing medication and therapies when needed.

Treatment of Unknown Values: Missing values due to non-response or a “don’t know” response are not included in the denominator when calculating prevalence estimates and weighted population counts displayed in the data query results table. In the majority of cases, the proportion of missing values is less than 2%. Exceptions are noted in the form of a Data Alert at the bottom of a results table. The exclusion of these values does not change the prevalence estimates (%) and only marginally affects the weighted population counts (Pop. Est.). If missing cases are handled in any other way, details can be found in the "Additional notes" section above.

History and Development: The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) funds and directs the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), and develops survey content in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau and a Technical Expert Panel. The Technical Expert Panel consists of experts in survey methodology and children’s health, federal and state stakeholders, clinicians and researchers. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the survey, oversees the sampling, and produces a final data set of survey results. Respondents’ cognitive understanding of the survey questions was assessed during the pretest phase and revisions were made. Previously validated questions and scales are used when available.
Prior to 2016, the NSCH and the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs were each conducted three times as interviewer-assisted telephone surveys using random digit dial sampling. In 2016, the two surveys were combined into a single self-administered questionnaire. Due to decline in the number of households with landline telephones, the NSCH now utilizes an address-based sampling method to select participating households, thus all invitations are sent by mail. Participants may choose to complete the survey either online using a secure website or a mailed paper version of the survey. All final data components are verified by the Census Bureau, MCHB and DRC/CAHMI staff prior to public release. More information can be found in the “Review the Surveys” section of this website.