The prescription medication questionnaire (RXQ_RX_L) data file provides personal interview data on self-assessed prescription medication use in the past 30 days, and the number of prescription medication use. The detailed prescription medication name, duration of use, and reason for use were not collected in this survey cycle.
In the second year of this survey cycle data collection, participants were asked if they were taking any medications to treat or prevent COVID-19. This part of the data is only available through the NCHS Research Data Center.
All survey participants in the NHANES August 2021─August 2023 sample are included in this dataset.
These questions were asked in the home or on the phone, by trained interviewers using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system. Participants 16 years of age and older and emancipated minors were interviewed directly. A proxy provided information for survey participants who were under 16 years of age and for participants who could not answer the questions themselves.
The NHANES August 2021-August 2023 questionnaires are available on the NHANES website.
The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire. Interviewers were required to audio-record interviews. The recorded interviews were reviewed by interviewer supervisors and NCHS staff.
Frequency counts were checked, “skip” patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of question responses was reviewed. Few edits were made to ensure the consistency of the data.
The analysis of NHANES August 2021–August 2023 RXQ_RX data must be conducted using the appropriate survey design variables, sample weights, and the basic demographic variables. Interview weights should only be used if questionnaire data are analyzed by themselves. However, if RXQ_RX data are merged with the MEC examination data or laboratory full sample data, the MEC examination weights should be used for analyses. If RXQ_RX data are merged with laboratory subsample data, subsample weights should be used for analyses.
Please also refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.
| Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yes | 6255 | 6255 | |
| 2 | No | 5638 | 11893 | End of Section |
| 7 | Refused | 8 | 11901 | End of Section |
| 9 | Don't know | 7 | 11908 | End of Section |
| . | Missing | 25 | 11933 |
| Code or Value | Value Description | Count | Cumulative | Skip to Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1, | 1621 | 1621 | |
| 2 | 2, | 1183 | 2804 | |
| 3 | 3, | 835 | 3639 | |
| 4 | 4, or | 690 | 4329 | |
| 5 | 5 or more? | 1917 | 6246 | |
| 7 | Refused | 4 | 6250 | |
| 9 | Don't know | 5 | 6255 | |
| . | Missing | 5678 | 11933 |