Austrian Health Interview Survey (AHIS)

Summary

Strengths: Underlying mechanisms for differences in health status and healthcare use that can be analysed as environmental indicators are also assessed. The survey uses a wider definition of health by considering not only physical, but also mental health, and the use of harmonised data collection renders the data comparable with other international sources. The survey also includes the institutionalised population (albeit with caveats) and is consistent in its use of terminology and coding. Another major strength is that the survey design is harmonised with the EHIS and the data is internationally comparable (among participating EU countries). Weaknesses: Most health status indicators are self-assessed, and there are no biomarkers and limited objective indicators on health. The survey does not allow for researchers to track individuals over time and understand the mechanisms behind changes in their health conditions (e.g. unemployment, loss of close family members). There is also an under-representation of population institutions, which may limit the robustness of data for older age groups.

Type of data

Data Source
Survey

Type of Study
Crosssection regular

Data gathering method
Face-to-face

Access to data

Conditions of access

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)
Anonymised microdata

Formats available
SPSS

Coverage

Coverage Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes
2006-2007 was the first year AHIS was undertaken as an independent initiative, with an entirely different survey design and concept, based on the European Health Information Survey (EHIS). In previous years (1973,1983,1991,1999), the survey was carried out as part of Austria's Microcensus. Gross sample from each of the 32 Care Service Regions (Versorgungsregionen): 770; for the three Public Service Regions within Vienna: 933. Total gross sample size : 25,130. Actual sample size from each Region: 483, for Regions within Vienna: 48. Total actual sample size: 15,474.

First year of collection
2006-2007

Stratification if applicable
Stratified by region

Base used for sampling

Geographical coverage and breakdowns
Each of Austria's 32 Care Service Regions were sampled.

Age range
Ages 15 and over

Statistical representativeness
Other, please specify

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics
This survey collected data on physical and mental health status, the need for care and/or support, Health determinants (alcohol/drug consumption, physical activity, BMI), frequency of medical consultations/check-ups, demand for health services abroad, wait lists for operations, medication, and basic socio-demographic (age, gender, nationality) and socio-econiomic indicators (profession, income, education). Corresponds to Health and Performance and Wellbeing Topics

Linkage

Standardisation
Use of ISCED and ISCO

Possibility of linkage among databases
As the AHIS was previously contained within the Microcensus and uses personal identifiers from the Central Registry, it should be possible to link with other national databases. There is, however, a break in comparability between the 2006/2007 AHIS and ones undertaken in previous years. Going forward, linkage with cross-national databases will be possible given its integration with the EHIS. Linkage with other countries piloting the survey is limited for the 2006/2007 year as Austria did not use the final version of the EHIS designed by Eurostat.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable
As data collection was computer-assisted, quality checking was undertaken while still in the data collection phase. Item-non-responses were imputed. In order to balance out the distortions caused by missing data and data stratification, collected data was weighted.

Breaks
There were no breaks reported by the data collection team or by the responsible institution. Interview manuals were used to ensure the consistency of the definitions and terminology used.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection
Interviewers were required to complete training before going into the field to ensure familiarity and consistency in terminology and coding.

Governance

Contact information
Jeannette Klimont/ Demography and Labour Market
Statistik Austria
Guglgasse 13
1110 Vienna Austria Phone: +4431711288277
Email: jeannette.klimont(at)statistik.gv.at
Url: Aggregate data tables: http://www.statistik.at/web_de/dynamic/statistiken/gesundheit/publdetail?id=4&listid=4&detail=457

Timeliness, transparency
Data was collected at various points over the course of 2006-2007 and the main findings were published in 2007.