Methodology of the 2009 Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada--hypertension component

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Survey on Living with Chronic Diseases in Canada--hypertension component (SLCDC-H) is a cross-sectional telephone survey.
• It focuses on hypertension diagnosis and management among Canadians aged 20 years and older with self-reported hypertension.
• The survey data was sampled from the 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide comprehensive data on the diagnosis and management of hypertension in Canada.
• To represent the Canadian population with self-reported hypertension.
• To serve as a model for surveys on other chronic conditions.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire developed using the Delphi technique, externally reviewed, and qualitatively tested.
• Statistics Canada managed sampling, recruitment, data collection, and processing.
• Weighted proportions and bootstrap methods were used for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• The SLCDC-H sample (n=6142) is representative of the CCHS hypertension population but slightly younger.
• The SLCDC-H sample includes more post-secondary school graduates compared to the CCHS population.
• Fewer SLCDC-H respondents reported being on hypertension medication compared to the CCHS population.

Conclusions:

• The 2009 SLCDC-H provides novel and comprehensive data on hypertension diagnosis and management.
• The survey methodology has been adapted for other chronic conditions like diabetes and respiratory diseases.
• The questionnaire and descriptive results are publicly available through Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.