Leagan Gaeilge
Text Version
Display: Zoom
(-)
(+)
View ( Normal High contrast )
Printer Friendly
A to Z
Sitemap
Warning: Your browser doesn't support all of the features in this Web site. Please view our accessibility page for more details.
 |
|
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) team have identified a number of frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the survey in Ireland. These are divided into the following categories:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Background to HBSC
How does the HBSC survey differ from other surveys on children’s health?
Is there support for the survey?
What is the role of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the HBSC?
Background to HBSC
Q.
Who conducts the survey?
A.
The Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI, Galway is responsible for organising the study in Ireland (
http://www.nuigalway.ie/hpr/). The Centre conducted the survey in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010.
Q.
Who funds the study?
A.
The survey is funded by the Health Promotion Policy Unit and the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Department of Health and Children.
Q.
Why is the survey being done?
A. The study will help us gain new insight into and to improve our understanding of the health behaviours of young people. The results will also help with future development of health-related policy and practice, creating better opportunities for young people’s health. The 2010 survey was the fourth time that Ireland has been involved helping us to track changes over time and identify best practice.
Q. How does the HBSC survey differ from other surveys on children’s health?
A. HBSC is unique because it attempts to shed light on the factors that shape and influence health and health behaviour. For example, questions on relationships with others and on the local area in which young people grow up are included. In addition, the international aspect of HBSC helps us to monitor international trends and to exchange strategies and practices where certain countries have been more successful in containing particular risk behaviours, e.g. drug use. HBSC is the most comprehensive study of early adolescent health behaviour.
Q.
Is there support for the survey?
A. The Department of Education and Science supports the study and recognises its importance. We have also fully informed the organisations representing school management, teachers and parents. Approval to conduct the HBSC survey was obtained from the NUI, Galway Research Ethics Committee.
Q.
What is the role of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the HBSC?
A. WHO serves as a collaborating partner with the 43 participating countries and regions involved with HBSC. It provides support to smaller, less economically advantaged countries that wish to participate in HBSC. It also has been instrumental in the development, publication, and dissemination of the international reports resulting from the surveys.
Methodology
How are children chosen to take part?
What grades are included?
What kinds of questions are asked on the HBSC survey?How long will it take to complete the questionnaire?
Methodology
Q.
How are children chosen to take part?
A. A sample of schools are selected randomly in a way that ensures equal representation of children and adolescents in education in Ireland. All types of schools from around the country are selected.
Q.
What grades are included?
A. In Ireland, the HBSC 2010 will be administered to children in primary and post-primary schools ranging from 3rd class upwards (excluding leaving certificate).
Q.
What kinds of questions are asked on the HBSC survey?
A. Different questions are asked of children of different ages. To understand the factors that shape and influence health and health behaviours, the survey asks questions on relationships with families and others, perceptions of school as a supportive environment, alcohol and tobacco use, drug use, diet, physical activity, injuries and the communities in which the students live. Some questions are not suitable for younger children and are not included on the questionnaires for them. Students can choose not to answer questions if they so wish.
Click here (15KB) for more details of the questions asked.
Q.
How long will it take to complete the questionnaire?
A.
It takes approximately 30 minutes. For younger classes the questionnaire is shorter.
Confidentiality
Will students be recognisable?
Can students’ names be used or linked to the surveys?
Are students tracked over time to see how their behaviour changes?Will the school be recognisable?
Can students/schools choose not to take part?
Who administers the survey to the students?
Confidentiality
Q.
Will students be recognisable?
A.
No, the study is confidential and students do not put their names on the questionnaires.
Q.
Can students' names be used or linked to surveys?
A. Survey administration procedures are designed to protect student privacy and allow for anonymous participation. Students do not put their names on the survey and no personal identifiers are used on any of the materials. No information on any individual child will ever be made public. Reports will not include names of participating schools or students. Teachers do not receive reports about their own school.
Q.
Are students tracked over time to see how their behaviour changes?
A. No. Participating students cannot be tracked because no identifying information is ever connected to their completed survey.
Q. Will the school be recognisable?
A. No, the study is confidential and no specific school will be recognisable.
Q. Can students/schools choose not to take part?
A. The decision to take part is completely voluntary.
Q.
Who administers the survey to the students?
A. Teachers are nominated by the Principal to administer the survey. Guidelines for the ideal conditions, i.e. an exam setting, are provided. Students seal their questionnaires in envelopes provided prior to collection; this assures the anonymity of students.
Dissemination
Who will benefit form the study?
How will the results be used?
Where can I get a copy of the survey results?
Dissemination
Q. Who will benefit from the study?
A. The results of the study will be relevant to everyone working with and for children; policy makers, teachers, parents, care givers and of course the young people themselves. For example, results from previous surveys have been used in developing health-related policies including the National Health Promotion Strategy.
Q.
How will the results be used?
A. The WHO, the EU, the European Commission and the UN have used the findings to help develop policy to improve children’s lives. In Ireland the data collected have helped to inform national health policy, including the National Health Promotion Strategy and The National Children's Strategy and have been included as indicators of child well-being by the National Children’s Office. The new data will be relevant to everyone working with and for children, be they policy makers, planners, educators, teachers, parents, care givers and of course, young people themselves.
Q.
Where can I get a copy of the survey results?
A. The 2002, 2006 and 2010 international reports can be found at
http://www.hbsc.org/. HBSC Ireland National reports can be found on our
publications page. Factsheets from the most recent surveys can be obtained by clicking here
(Factsheets 2002)
(Factsheets 2006)
(Factsheets 2010). Further details can also be requested from the Health Promotion Research Centre, NUI, Galway by emailing:
HBSC
nuigalway.ie.
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Phone: 353 91 493641
E-mail: hbsc
nuigalway.ie
This page was last updated Friday, April 12, 2013