Effects of Age, Season, Gender and Urban-Rural Status on Time-Activity: Canadian Human Activity Pattern Survey 2 (CHAPS 2)

Estimation of population exposure is a main component of human health risk assessment for environmental contaminants. Population-level exposure assessments require time-activity pattern distributions in relation to microenvironments where people spend their time. Societal trends may have influenced time-activity patterns since previous Canadian data were collected 15 years ago. The Canadian Human Activity Pattern Survey 2 (CHAPS 2) was a national survey conducted in 2010–2011 to collect time-activity information from Canadians of all ages. Five urban and two rural locations were sampled using telephone surveys. Infants and children, key groups in risk assessment activities, were over-sampled. Survey participants (n = 5,011) provided time-activity information in 24-hour recall diaries and responded to supplemental questionnaires concerning potential exposures to specific pollutants, dwelling characteristics, and socio-economic factors. Results indicated that a majority of the time was spent indoors (88.9%), most of which was indoors at home, with limited time spent outdoors (5.8%) or in a vehicle (5.3%). Season, age, gender and rurality were significant predictors of time activity patterns. Compared to earlier data, adults reported spending more time indoors at home and adolescents reported spending less time outdoors, which could be indicative of broader societal trends. These findings have potentially important implications for assessment of exposure and risk. The CHAPS 2 data also provide much larger sample sizes to allow for improved precision and are more representative of infants, children and rural residents.


If no, read
While participation is voluntary, your cooperation is important to ensure the information collected is as accurate as possible. Your participation is also important because your response will represent not only your household, but similar households in your area.
Would you like to take part in this study?
If yes, continue: Thank you. The study will update information collected 15 years ago. The survey asks you to recall your activities from the previous day and asks specific questions relating to your home. Knowing where and how Canadians spend their time will help Health Canada to estimate Canadians' exposure to pollutants. These estimates help set standards to protect the health of Canadians.
Participation is voluntary and you can skip over questions you do not want to answer. Your name and other identifying information will not be associated with your responses and any information you provided will be used for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential.
Before we begin, would you have time for me to ask you a few questions to determine which person in your household should complete the survey? [Surveyor: if asked, read] The survey selects one respondent depending on who lives in your household and who next celebrate his or her birthday.
[Surveyor: If asked about survey length, read] The survey can be completed in 20 minutes or less.
[If pressed, read] Depending on how you answer each question, it may take you more or less time to go through the survey.

KNAM (CHILD SURVEY)
If only 1 child between the age of 1 to 17 For this study, we need to know about the activities of the child in your household. I just need his or her first name.

Else
For this study, we need to know about the activities of the child in the household older than 1 year and under the age of 18 who will have the NEXT birthday. Who would that be? I just need his or her first name.
[1] RECORD CHILD'S FIRST NAME [99] Refused ** DO NOT END WITH /// |-----------| An activity is anything [fill name or your child] did during the day. Activities include active tasks such as socializing, preparing food, or eating; more quiet tasks like thinking and relaxing, or traveling such as taking the bus or driving to places. It also includes routine activities such as dressing, personal hygiene, and break at work or school or personal activities such as hugging and kissing. Right now, you are talking to me on the telephone; Talking on the telephone is one type of activity.
The location can be a specific room inside a home such as the dinning room, bathroom, and bedroom or more general location such as office building, dry cleaning shop, or a farm. In particular, Health Canada is interested in locations where one may be exposed to environmental agents or pollutants such as gas station, garage, and parking lots.
I would like to remind you that this survey is strictly confidential and your responses will remain anonymous.
To simplify the process we will begin with midnight on the first day and work forward through the day. What were [fill name or your child] doing at midnight? Please use the box below if the activity is not available above OR if there is additional information about the location to add. Location: ------END TIME -------   A moth is an insect related to butterfly and is commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat fabric such as clothes and blankets made from natural fibers such as wool or silk.

Activities/Locations Summary
[

CONTACT1
Please provide your first name and the best telephone number(s) to reach you should you be randomly selected as the winner.
Any information you provide will be stored for the purpose of the draw only. Your name and phone number will not be associated with your survey responses. All contact information will be destroyed after the draw has taken place and winners notified.
[ Your name and other identifying information will not be associated with your responses and any information you provided will be used for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential.

KNAM
For this study, we need to know about the activities of the infant in the household under the age of 1 year who will have the NEXT birthday. Who would that be? I just need his or her first name.
[ Surveyor: Mothballs or other moth repellent are products containing chemical pesticide and deodorant used when storing clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae.
A moth is an insect related to butterfly and is commonly regarded as pests because their larvae eat fabric such as clothes and blankets made from natural fibers such as wool or silk.

CONTACT1
Please provide your first name and the best telephone number(s) to reach you should you be randomly selected as the winner.
Any information you provide will be stored for the purpose of the draw only. Your name and phone number will not be associated with your survey responses. All contact information will be destroyed after the draw has taken place and winners notified. [