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BLOOD PRESSURE Methodology Blood pressure measurements were taken towards the end of the survey and were voluntary. Respondents were invited to sit down and extend and relax their left arm, with their palm facing upwards. Interviewers were given a choice of three different sized cuffs to select from depending on respondent size. All measurements were taken on the left arm, unless there was a prohibitive reason such as an injury. Interviewers undertook two blood pressure readings using an automated blood pressure monitor in which systolic and diastolic pressures were displayed. If there was a significant difference (greater than 10 mmHg) between the readings, for either the diastolic or systolic readings, the Computer Assisted Interviewing instrument would prompt for a third reading.
The derived systolic and diastolic data items involve a combination of up to two readings. Unless there was only one reading, the first reading was generally not used. The majority of participating respondents had two readings taken, and in these cases the second reading was used for the measures of systolic and diastolic pressure. When a third reading was required to be taken, the second and third readings were averaged unless the third reading differed by 20 mmHg or more. If all readings had a variation of 20 mmHg or greater the derived measurement items were recorded as invalid readings. Data items The data items and related output categories for this topic are 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:
Comparability with 2004-05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS) Blood pressure was not collected in the 2004-05 NATSIHS. Comparability with 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) Blood pressure was not collected in the 2008 NATSISS. Comparability with 2011-12 Australian Health Survey (AHS) Blood pressure data are considered directly comparable between the 2011-12 AHS and 2012-13 AATSIHS. It should also be noted that in 2011-12 AHS, 81.4% of respondents aged 5 years and over had their blood pressure and 81% had a valid reading, compared to 79.2% and 77.7% in 2012-13 AATSIHS.
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