National Health Survey- Precondition for a Preventive and Health Promotion Intervention: Methodology and Implementation of 2003 Croatian Adult Health Survey

Abstract

The paper describes the experiences of Croatian Adult Health Survey (CAHS) conducted in 2003 and targeted adult population (persons aged 18 years orolder) who are living in private dwellings in Croatia. Survey covered approximately 98% of the Croatian population aged 18 or older. CAHS included topics around the health status, determinants of health (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, alcohol use) and use of health care services by Croatians. Three levels of objectives are presented. The first level objectives were to provide timely, reliable, cross-sectional estimates in order to support the work around developing a public health information system and enhancing the national efforts in health promotion. The second level specific goals included gathering data for six major regions of Croatia and creating a survey instrument that could be used as a benchmark for future studies. The third level components were oriented toward development of public policy -to provide data for analytical studies, data on the economic, social, demographic, occupational and environmental correlates of health for understanding of the relationship between health status and health care utilization. Methodology and implementation of 2003 Croatian Adult Health Survey (stratification, sample and household sampling strategy, data collection and response rate as well as data processing, weighting and estimation are described in details. In conclusion, National Health Survey is a precondition for a preventive and health promotion intervention. Using the data from National Health Survey, health care professionals and policy makers are able to produce in-depth analysis supporting development of national health strategy and to improve the health of population.