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4363.0.55.001 - Australian Health Survey: Users' Guide, 2011-13  
Latest ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 07/12/2012   
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BODILY PAIN

Definition

This topic refers to the severity of bodily or physical pain experienced by the respondent, from any or all causes, and the extent to which it interfered with normal work.

Population

Information was obtained for all persons aged 18 years and over in the NHS.

Methodology

Respondents were asked how much bodily pain they had experienced, from any or all causes, in the 4 weeks prior to interview. Response categories were:

  • None;
  • Very mild;
  • Mild;
  • Moderate;
  • Severe; and
  • Very severe.

If the respondent had experienced any bodily pain, they were then asked if it had interfered with their normal work, including work outside the home and housework. Response categories were:
  • Not at all;
  • A little bit;
  • Moderately;
  • Quite a bit; and
  • Extremely.

Data items

The data items and related output categories for this topic will be available in Excel spreadsheet format from the Downloads page of this product.

Interpretation

Points to be considered in interpreting data for this topic include the following:
  • respondents were asked to indicate the severity of any bodily pain that they had experienced (from any and all causes) during the 4 weeks prior to interview;
  • interference with normal work includes work or housework activities that the respondent did or would have done during the 4 weeks prior to interview; and,
  • those respondents incapable of being present for the interview due to illness or disability, and who were represented by a proxy, were recorded as being 'Not asked'. For Australia for 2011-12, there were 92,000 persons aged 18 years and over (0.5%) who were not asked about bodily pain.

Comparability with 2007-08

Results from 2011-12 are comparable with 2007-08, however in 2011-12 only respondents aged 18 years and over were asked questions about bodily pain. In 2007-08, questions were asked of respondents aged 15 years and over.


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