Table 2. Descriptive characteristics of analysis sample at baseline (April) (N = 1843).
| Characteristic | Analysis sample (N = 1843) n (%) | National Australian estimates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, median (IQR) | 42 (28–57) | ||
| Age group | |||
| 18 to 25 years | 353 (19.2%) | 13.7% | |
| 26 to 40 years | 528 (28.6%) | 27.2% | |
| 41 to 55 years | 462 (25.1%) | 26.0% | |
| 56 to 90 years | 500 (27.1%) | 33.1% | |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 487 (26.4%) | 48.9% | |
| Female | 1322 (71.7%) | 51.1% | |
| Other/prefer not to say | 34 (1.8%) | - | |
| Educational attainment* | |||
| Less than university | 496 (26.9%) | 53.7% | |
| University | 1347(73.1%) | 32.4% | |
| State/territory of residence | |||
| Australian Capital Territory | 58 (3.1%) | 1.7% | |
| Northern Territory | 7 (0.4%) | 0.9% | |
| Victoria | 291 (15.8%) | 25.5% | |
| New South Wales | 937 (50.8%) | 32.0% | |
| Queensland | 258 (14.0%) | 19.9% | |
| Western Australia | 130 (7.1%) | 10.5% | |
| South Australia | 84 (4.6%) | 7.3% | |
| Tasmania | 78 (4.2%) | 2.2% | |
| Residential area remoteness^ | |||
| Major cities | 1374 (74.6%) | 73.3% | |
| Regional and remote | 467 (25.4%) | 26.5% | |
| Socioeconomic status, mean IRSAD quintile (SD) † | 3.66 (1.40) | ||
| Born in Australia | 1405 (76.2%) | 61.3% | |
| English primary language | 1774 (96.3%) | 71.5% | |
| Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander | |||
| Yes | 31 (1.7%) | 2.1% | |
| No | 1796 (97.4%) | 91.6% | |
| Did not respond | 16 (0.9%) | 6.2% | |
| Chronic health conditions** | |||
| None | 912 (49.5%) | 52.7% | |
| One | 537 (29.1%) | 27.0% | |
| Two or more | 394 (21.4%) | 20.2% | |
| Health literacy adequacy^^ | 1695 (92.0%) | - | |
| Self-Reported General Health†† | |||
| Poor | 68 (3.7%) | 3.9% | |
| Fair | 248 (13.5%) | 11.3% | |
| Good | 629 (34.1%) | 29.1% | |
| Very good | 667 (36.2%) | 35.4% | |
| Excellent | 231 (12.5%) | 20.2% | |
National Australian estimates are based on 2016 Australian census data, for people aged 19–90 years, except where indicated.
*13.8% of census data listed supplementary codes or ‘not stated’ for highest level of educational attainment.
^Remoteness indicators are based on 2016 ABS data, and as such, individuals who reside in newer postcodes established after 2016 (n = 2) are missing data on this variable.
†Quintile 1 indicates a participant resides in one of the least advantaged (most disadvantaged) areas; quintile 5 indicates a participant resides in on the most advantaged (least disadvantaged) areas.
**National estimates based on 2017–18 National Health Survey, people aged ≥15 years.
Chronic conditions included arthritis, asthma, back problems, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus, heart, stroke and vascular disease, kidney disease, mental and behavioural conditions and osteoporosis.
^^Based on Single Item Literacy Screener (SILS): How confident are you with filling out medical forms by yourself: not at all, a little bit, somewhat, quite a bit, extremely. “Not at all” response categorised as inadequate health literacy.
††National estimates based on 2017–18 National Health Survey, people aged ≥18 years.