Table 1 Description of items used to assess health risk factors, source of items and cut-offs used to classify participants as ‘at-risk’
Risk Factor and description of item used to assess risk | Cut-off used to classify ‘at-risk’ participants |
|---|---|
Body Mass Index (BMI) | |
Measured height and weight | BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 (excluding pregnant women) |
Smoking status | |
Single item [12]; ‘Which of the following best describes your smoking?’ | Current smokers (daily or occasional smokers) |
Risky alcohol use | |
Two items based on third question (AUDIT-3) of the AUDIT-C [6, 48] modified to current NHMRC guidelines [31]; ‘How often do you have more than 2/4 standard drinks in one day/ on one occasion?’ | >2 stand. drinks daily or almost daily; and/or >4 stand.drinks weekly or more often |
Physical inactivity | |
Single item [46]; ‘Do you usually do at least half an hour of moderate or vigorous exercise on five or more days a week?’ | <30 mins of exercise on five or more days per week [36] |
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption | |
Two items [12]; ‘How many serves of fruit/vegetables do you usually eat each day?’ | < two serves of fruit; and/or < five serves of vegetables daily [33] |
Depression | |
Version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) modified for use with Indigenous Australians [20]a | PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 |
Illicit drug use | |
Participants were asked when they last used any illicit or illegal drugs | Any drug use in the last 12 months; including those who responded ‘prefer not to answer’ |
Screening for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and cancer: Underscreened | |
Participants were asked when they last had their blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar (or HbA1c for those with diabetes) checked; and how long ago they had their most recent mammogram, pap test or bowel cancer testb | Not screened within recommended intervals for any age/gender appropriate screening test [30], including those who responded ‘can’t remember’ |