IV. Final BRFSS
Disposition Codes
1. Interview
110 Complete
Definition: Selected respondent meets the criteria for a partial
complete and has completed the interview through the last question.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition upon completion of interview.
120 Partial Complete
Definition: Sex and three or more questions from age, race, Hispanic
origin, marital status, education, employment status, county code, and “Do
you have more than one telephone number in your household?” have been
answered with a response other than Don’t know/Not sure (7, 77, or 777) or
Refused (9, 99, or 999).
Callback Rules: Make a second attempt to fully complete the interview
after first refusal or termination. Give final disposition if second attempt
to fully complete the interview is unsuccessful. Give final disposition on
the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt even if there is only one
occurrence of a refusal or termination.
2. Non-Interview, Household With Eligible Respondent
210 Termination within questionnaire
Definition: A hang-up or termination after the first question in the
core has been asked and it or a subsequent question has received a response
other than Don’t know/Not sure or Refused. The selected respondent has not
answered enough questions for the interview to quality as a 120 Partial
complete.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second refusal or
termination or when a first-time refusal or termination will not be called a
second time because of an irate respondent. Give final disposition on the
fifteenth or subsequent call attempt even if there is only one occurrence of
a refusal or termination.
220 Refusal after respondent selection
Definition: A hang-up or termination after respondent selection but
before respondent has given a response other than Don’t know/Not sure or
Refused to one or more questions in the core. The refusals can come from any
adult in the household and the initial refusal could have come before
respondent selection. An automated message to not call the number again that
is not in response specifically to that call attempt does not count as a
refusal. Such an outcome should receive an answering machine or
technological barrier interim code.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second refusal or when a
first-time refusal will not be called a second time because of an irate
respondent. On the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final
disposition even if there is only one occurrence of a refusal.
230 Selected respondent never reached or was reached but did not begin
interview during interviewing period
Definition: Selected respondent was never spoken to or was spoken to
and asked to be called again later one or more times. Includes cases where
the selected respondent was away from residence for part of the interviewing
period.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
240 Selected respondent away from residence during the entire
interviewing period
Definition: Selected respondent is expected to be away from residence
during the entire interviewing period, for example, because of travel or a
hospital stay.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when informed of absence.
250 Language problem after respondent selection
Definition: After respondent selection, the selected or another
respondent does not speak English or another language for which an
interviewer and translated questionnaire are available well enough to be
interviewed.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition (1) the first time a selected
respondent is contacted or is described by someone else as not speaking
English or another language for which an interviewer and translated
questionnaire are available well enough to be interviewed or (2) the second
time a respondent who does not speak English well enough to answer the
screening questions is contacted and there is not a translated questionnaire
and interviewer available for the respective language. If the first
occurrence is on the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final
disposition.
260 Selected respondent physically or mentally unable to complete an
interview during the entire interviewing period
Definition: After respondent selection, the selected or another
respondent has a physical or mental condition that prevents the completion
of an interview and that condition is expected to last through the entire
interviewing period. This includes a temporary condition, such as
bereavement, that will last beyond the interviewing period. (For conditions
not expected to last through the entire interviewing period, schedule an
appointment and keep trying.)
Callback Rules: Give final disposition (1) the first time a selected
respondent is contacted or is described by someone else as physically or
mentally unable to complete an interview during the entire interviewing
period or (2) the second time a respondent who is physically or mentally
impaired is contacted. If the first occurrence is on the fifteenth or
subsequent call attempt, give final disposition.
270 Hang up or termination after number of adults recorded but before
respondent selection
Definition: Respondent hangs up or terminates call attempt after
answering the number of adults question but before answering the number of
men and number of women questions. This differs from 280 in that the
respondent explicitly refuses.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second hang-up or
termination or when a first-time hang-up or termination will not be called a
second time because of an irate respondent. If the first occurrence is on
the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final disposition.
280 Household contact after number of adults recorded but before
respondent selection
Definition: Respondent answered the number of adults question and
asked to be called again later one or more times but the number of men and
number of women were never determined. On the surface, this is a
postponement that was never re-started but may be an implicit refusal. This
differs from 270 in that the respondent never explicitly refuses.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
3. Non-Interview, Eligibility Undetermined
305 Household members away from residence during entire interviewing
period
Definition: A house sitter, house cleaner, or other non-member of a
household states that all of the household members will be away from the
residence during the entire interviewing period.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when informed.
310 Hang-up or termination, housing unit, unknown if eligible
respondent
Definition: A respondent hangs-up or terminates a call attempt before
answering the number of adults question. This differs from 315 in that the
respondent explicitly refuses.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second hang-up or
termination or when a first-time hang-up or termination will not be called a
second time because of an irate respondent. If the first occurrence is on
the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final disposition.
315 Household contact, eligibility undetermined
Definition: A respondent verified that the telephone number reaches a
private residence and asked to be called again later one or more times but
the number of adults in the household was never determined. On the surface,
this is a postponement that was never re-started but may be an implicit
refusal. This differs from 310 in that the respondent never explicitly
refuses.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
320 Language problem before respondent selection
Definition: A respondent who does not speak English or another
language for which an interviewer and translated questionnaire are available
well enough to answer the screening questions answers the telephone twice
before respondent selection. Give final disposition even if other
respondents who do not present a language problem have answered the
telephone.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second contact with a
respondent who does not speak English well enough to answer the screening
questions and there is not a translated questionnaire and interviewer
available for the respective language. If the first occurrence is on the
fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final disposition.
325 Physical or mental impairment before respondent selection
Definition: A respondent whose physical or mental impairment prevents
him or her from completing the screening questions answers the phone twice
before respondent selection. Give final disposition even if other
respondents without a physical or mental impairment have answered the
telephone.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second contact with a
physically or mentally impaired respondent. If the first occurrence is on
the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final disposition.
330 Hang-up or termination, unknown if private residence
Definition: A respondent hangs-up or terminates a call attempt before
confirming that the telephone number rings to a private residence.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition after second hang-up or
termination or when a first-time hang-up or termination will not be called a
second time because of an irate respondent. If the first occurrence is on
the fifteenth or subsequent call attempt, give final disposition.
332 Contact, unknown if private residence
Definition: A respondent did not verify that the telephone number
reaches a private residence but asked to be called again later one or more
times. On the surface, this is a postponement that was never re-started but
may be an implicit refusal. This differs from 330 in that the respondent
never explicitly refuses.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
335 Telephone answering device, message confirms private residential
status
Definition: One or more call attempts reached an answering machine
but no person was ever spoken to. The message confirms that the telephone
number reaches a private residence by using the words, “home,” “house,”
“family,” “residence” or a family name.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
340 Telecommunication technological barrier, message confirms private
residential status
Definition: One or more call attempts reached a call blocking
message, a message asking the caller to identify himself or herself, or
other automated message, but no person was ever spoken to. A message
confirms that the telephone number reaches a private residence by using the
words, “home,” “house,” “family,” “residence” or a family name.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
345 Telephone answering device, not sure if private residence
Definition: One or more call attempts reached an answering machine
but no person was ever spoken to. The message leaves open the possibility
that the telephone number is reaching a private residence but it does not
explicitly state so.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
350 Telecommunication technological barrier, not sure if private
residence
Definition: One or more call attempts reached a call blocking
message, a message asking the caller to identify himself or herself, or
other automated response, but no person was ever spoken to. There is no
message or a message leaves open the possibility that the telephone number
is reaching a private residence but it does not explicitly state so.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
355 Telephone number has changed status from household or possible
household to non-working during the interviewing period
Definition: On the second or subsequent call attempt, a telephone
number is responding with a message indicating that the telephone number
called is a non-working number or has been changed and there is at least one
previous interim disposition of 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535, or 540.
(If a “number changed” recording is encountered the first time that a
telephone number is called, that number should received a final disposition
of 450 Non-working/disconnected number.)
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when notified.
360 No answer
Definition: Among telephone numbers which no person or device ever
answered, half or more of the call attempts resulted in a normal telephone
ring that no one answered.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or more
call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls, and 3
weekend calls.
365 Busy
Definition: Among telephone numbers which no person or device ever
answered, more than half of the call attempts resulted in a normal busy
signal.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 5
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least 10
minutes apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the 15 or
more call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight calls,
and 3 weekend calls. If possible, contact the telephone company repair
service to verify the number is in service.
370 On never call list
Definition: To be assigned to (those few) telephone numbers that the
BRFSS State Coordinator has determined, before calling begins, should not be
called.
Callback Rules: This disposition should never be assigned to a
telephone number with one or more call attempts.
4. Not Eligible
405 Out-of-state
Definition: The telephone number rings out-of-state.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when informed. This code
should take priority over other possible final disposition codes.
410 Household, no eligible respondent
Definition: No one 18 years of age or older uses the telephone. To be
assigned when no one in the household is 18 years of age or older or the
telephone number is used by a teen under the age of 18 and the parents do
not use that phone.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when informed.
420 Not a private residence
Definition: The person answering the phone or an answering machine
identifies the telephone number as a business, an institution (government
office, educational facility, dormitory, nursing home, hospital, prison), a
group home (fraternity or sorority, half-way house, shelter), a timeshare or
vacation home at which no one is living for 30 days or more at the time of
contact, Efax service, a pager, a cellular phone, or a dedicated
fax/data/modem line that s/he answered to identify as such.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when informed.
430 Dedicated fax/data/modem line with no human contact
Definition: A telephone number used only as a fax, data, or modem
line.
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 2
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 6 call attempts with at least one interim
disposition code of 560 Fax/modem/data and all other disposition codes are
550 No answer, 555 Busy, 565 Fast busy, 570 Possible non-working number, or
575 Circuit busy. (Attempts receiving interim disposition codes of 580 Null
attempt or 585 Requires supervisor attention should not count as call
attempts for this purpose.)
440 Fast busy
Definition: A telephone number with at least one disposition of 565
Fast busy and all other dispositions are 550 No answer, 555 Busy, 570
Possible non-working number, or 575 Circuit busy. (Attempts receiving
interim disposition codes of 580 Null attempt or 585 Requires supervisor
attention should not count as call attempts for this purpose.)
Callback Rules: Give final disposition only after (a) at least 2
calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at least one
hour apart) for a minimum total of 6 call attempts with at least one interim
disposition code of 565 Fast busy and all other disposition codes are 550 No
answer, 555 Busy, 570 Possible non-working number, or 575 Circuit busy.
(Attempts receiving interim disposition codes of 580 Null attempt or 585
Requires supervisor attention should not count as call attempts for this
purpose.)
450 Non-working/disconnected number
Definition: Usually recognized by a tritone, a recording indicating
that the telephone number is non-working, a number that consistently rings
to an incorrect number, or a number that cannot be verified by a respondent.
If a 450 is assigned on a second or subsequent attempt, the CATI system or a
post-data collection program should check to see if there is at least one
previous interim disposition of 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535, or 540.
If there is, then the record should receive a final disposition of 355
Telephone number has changed status from household or possible household to
non-working during the interviewing period. If the current status of the
telephone number is in doubt, give an interim disposition of 570 Possible
non-working number or call operator or repair service. After at least 15
call attempts, assign if all dispositions are 545 Phone number temporarily
out of service, 570 Possible non-working number, or 575 Circuit busy.
(Attempts receiving interim disposition codes of 580 Null attempt or 585
Requires supervisor attention should not count as call attempts for this
purpose.)
Callback Rules: Give final disposition when the above criteria are
met. If 15 call attempts are required, give final disposition only after (a)
at least 5 calling occasions (each consisting of no more than 3 attempts at
least one hour apart) for a minimum total of 15 call attempts, and (b) the
15 or more call attempts consist of at least 3 weekday calls, 3 weeknight
calls, and 3 weekend calls.
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