Scottish Health Survey, 1995

UKDA study number:3807

Principal Investigator

Joint Health Surveys Unit of Social and Community Planning Research and University College London

Sponsor

Scottish Office. Department of Health

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

February 1999 (3rd Edition)

Bibliographic Citation

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Joint Health Surveys Unit of Social and Community Planning Research and University College London, Scottish Health Survey, 1995 [computer file]. 3rd Edition. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], February 1999. SN: 3807.

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Copyright:
Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland

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3807 . Scottish Health Survey, 1995

Depositor:

Social and Community Planning Research

Principal Investigator:

Joint Health Surveys Unit of Social and Community Planning Research and University College London

Sponsor:

Scottish Office. Department of Health

Project Number:

P ; 1394

Abstract:

The Scottish Health Survey series was established as a result of the publication in 1992 of Scotland's health: a challenge to us all. The first survey in the series, in 1995 (SN 3807) was commissioned by the then Scottish Office Department of Health.
It is planned that a Scottish Health Survey will be carried out once every three years, and the aims of the series are:

to provide data about the nation's health

to estimate the prevalence of particular health conditions

to estimate the prevalence of risk factors associated with these conditions

to examine differences between population subgroups; and between Scotland and England

to contribute towards monitoring progress towards selected health targets

to monitor trends in the population's health over time

The 1995 Scottish Health Survey is the first in the series.
The survey consisted of a number of core questions and measurements (such as height and weight), plus modules of questions on selected subjects. The specific topic included in the 1995 survey was cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors.

Main Topics:

Physical activity: the questionnaire covers three types of physical activity: occupation, home, and sports and exercise. Two measures of physical activity were used: a frequency-intensity activity level and a maximum intensity level. Attitudes towards taking more exercise are also covered.
Eating habits: information on self-reported eating habits was collected for a wide range of food types.
Smoking: data on self-reported current and past smoking behaviour, attitudes to stopping smoking, and exposure to other people's tobacco smoke were collected. Levels of the blood analyte serum cotinine are used to validate self-reports of smoking behaviour.
Drinking: self-reported levels of weekly alcohol consumption, attitudes to cutting down drinking, problem drinking among 16-17 year olds, and the relationship between the blood analyte gamma gt and reported alcohol consumption are covered.
Blood pressure: blood pressure levels for the survey population were measured.
Obesity: height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip ratio were measured.
Respiratory symptoms and lung function tests: data for three common respiratory symptoms - phlegm production, breathlessness and wheezing - were collected. Lung function test results for FEV1, FVC and PEF are contained in the dataset.
Blood analytes: total and HDL-cholesterol, fibrinogen, haemoglobin and serum ferritin were analysed as well as vitamins A, C and E, and carotenoids.
Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: the survey contains questions on self-reported cardiovascular disease and related conditions. Data for the main risk factors - obesity, smoking, drinking, raised cholesterol, high blood pressure and lack of physical activity are also present.
General health, use of health services, prescibed medicines and dental health: self-reported general health, longstanding illness or disability, and acute sickness in addition to the prevalence of gastroenteritis within the population was measured. Use of a number of health services - GP consultations, inpatient stays and outpatient visits, blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring are also present as are informants' reports of the prescribed medicines they take. Dental health data includes prevalence of false teeth, and dental practices.
Psychosocial well-being: emotional well-being using GHQ12 was measured.
Accidents: the number and causes of accidents along with their location and the types of injuries incurred are present in the dataset.
Standard measures: Edinburgh Claudication questionnaire; Rose Angina questionnaire; blood pressure; body mass index; waist-hip ratio; GHQ12; MRC Respiratory questionnaire (breathlessness, phlegm and wheezing); social class based on Registrar General's Standard Occupational Classification; CAGE questionnaire for problem drinking (16-17 year olds only).

Coverage:

Dates of Fieldwork: March 1995 - February 1996
Country: Scotland
Spatial Units: (A)Health Authority Regions/Districts; (B)Postcode Areas
Observation Units: Individuals; Families/households
Kind of Data: Numeric data; Alpha/numeric data; Individual (micro) level

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: National
Population: Individuals aged 16-64 living in private households in Scotland.

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Repeated cross-sectional study
Sampling Procedures: Multi-stage stratified random sample
Number of Units: See user guide for details of weighting
7932 (target) 7900 (obtained)
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Self-completion; Clinical measurements; Physical measurements; CAPI

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Government, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: govsurveys@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

21 April 1998

Date of Latest Release:

11 February 1999 ( 3rd Edition )

Copyright:

Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland

File last updated:

12 February 2008