Table 1 Overview of empirical material

Basic/attendance benefit status: Recipients of cash benefit pr. 1000 household with children born 1989–1995, county averages. Norway consists of 19 county municipalities. The counties were grouped into four categories. 'Low' = 0–3.2, 'Low/medium' = 3.3–5.0, 'Medium/high' = 5.1–8.7 'High' = 8,8–10,5

National insurance [25]

Centrality:

Least central municipalities.

Official population statistics [27]

Parents' education:

Parents with the same educational level as physicians are represented within two groups in the analysis: one in which both parents have higher education, and the other in which only one parent has higher education. Higher education includes the first stage of tertiary education and postgraduate education, codes 7 and 8 in the Norwegian Standard Classification of Education. A category of parents with intermediate education includes codes 3, 4 and 5. This group includes parents with an educational level above compulsory education, including lower university level. The final group, lower education, includes compulsory education, codes 1 and 2.

Official register of education [26]

Regular source of care:

'Does the child use a regular doctor for the asthma problems?' Response categories: 'No, the child has no regular doctor', 'Yes, a general practitioner', 'Yes, a specialist/paediatrician outside hospital', 'Yes, a specialist/paediatrician at a hospital'.

Survey

Experiences of the process of application:

'How did you receive information about the possibility of applying for benefits?' Response categories: 'Through a doctor', 'Through a nurse or a social worker at a hospital', 'Through a social worker or other employees in the municipality, township or county office', 'Through The Norwegian Association for Asthma and Allergy or The Norwegian Association of Heart and Lung Patients', 'Through friends, family or other acquaintances', 'Other'

Survey

'Are you of the opinion that the application for benefit should have been sent before?'

Response categories: 'No', 'Yes, we were not aware of our rights, 'Yes, other reasons for delay'.

Social network and social participation:

Are you a member of the Norwegian Association for Asthma and Allergy? Response categories: Yes/No

Have you ever participated in arrangements or seminars on asthma, arranged by the Norwegian Association for Asthma and Allergy or other organizations? Response categories: Yes/No

Survey

Child's health condition:

How do you assess his/her health-condition in general?' Response categories: 'Very good', 'Good', 'Fair', 'Bad', 'Very bad'.

Survey

'How many episodes of heavy breathing or wheezing in the chest has the child experienced during the previous 12 months?' Response categories: 'More than 12', '4 to 12', '1 to 3', 'None'.

How many nights on average was the child's sleep interrupted because of cough during the previous 12 months? Response categories:'1 or more nights per week', 'Less than one night per week', 'Never woke up'.