AHS Methodology: FAQs
What is the Adolescent Health Survey?
The Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) is a pencil and paper questionnaire used to gather information about youth health. The survey was completed by over 29,000 Grade 7-12 students across 50 of BC's 59 school districts.
What can the survey tell us?
The information collected in the survey provides current, accurate information about what BC youth know, think and do about their own health.
Who conducted the survey?
The survey is a project of the McCreary Centre Society, a non-government, non-profit organization committed to research and education on youth health.
The survey was administered by Public Health Nurses in 1,760 classrooms across BC.
Has this survey been done before?
YES. This is the fourth Adolescent Health Survey (AHSIV). The McCreary Centre Society conducted the AHS in BC in 1992, 1998 and 2008. Similar surveys have been done in some other provinces in Canada, in the US and in several European countries.
How will the survey information be used?
As has been done with previous AHS reports, data from AHS IV will be distributed in the form of a provincial report and 14 regional reports. The information will be used extensively by health planners, educators, and community organizations to develop youth programs and services. The survey will also provide important information that can form the basis for a variety of prevention and health promotion initiatives at the local, provincial and national level.
How were students chosen for the survey?
McCreary worked with Statistics Canada to select a representative sample of students from throughout the province. Not every student was asked to complete the questionnaire and participation in the survey was completely voluntary and confidential.
What kinds of questions were asked?
Survey questions covered factors that promote healthy adolescent development as well as behaviours that may compromise health. Question topics include: school achievement; common health problems, chronic illness and disabilities; body image and weight; drugs, alcohol and tobacco use; sexual behaviour; injuries and injury prevention, such as seat belt use; emotional health; experiences of violence or discrimination; help seeking behaviour; use of technology; and exercise, sports and leisure activities.
Why were these questions chosen?
The questions were chosen to identify behaviours that influence health either during adolescence or in adult life. Most health problems in youth are caused by preventable behaviours, such as drinking and driving or unprotected sexual activity.
Behaviours established during adolescence can also contribute to the later development of health problems such as heart disease and cancer, which are the leading causes of death and illness in the Canadian population. Behaviours that increase the risk of health problems include tobacco use, and insufficient exercise. Other survey questions relate to emotional well-being, which can be a significant factor in overall good health.
The AHS also included questions that relate to factors that promote healthy development. These include having connections to parents and other supportive adults, feeling a sense of belonging and safety at school, and involvement in volunteer and other extracurricular activities.
Is the information confidential?
YES. Students did not put their names on the questionnaire, and there is no way that specific answers can be linked to a particular individual.
How do you know the answers youth gave are truthful?
Before final analysis of the data was completed, the validity of the responses was reviewed. Surveys which contained contradictory, incomplete or joking answers were identified and eliminated before analysis began. (These surveys comprised less than 1% of all students surveyed.)
Is participation voluntary?
YES. While some school boards had different consent requirements, no student was required to fill in the questionnaire, and parents or guardians had the right to refuse to allow a student to participate.
How long does it take to fill out the questionnaire?
Students could easily complete the survey in 30-45 minutes.
Who funded the survey?
Funding for the survey was primarily provided by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development. Other funders included Child Health BC; Northern Health Authority; and Centre for Addictions Research BC, University of Victoria.
