Adolescent Health Survey III

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Adolescent Health Survey III

• Spring 2003

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Adolescent Health Survey III

• A project of The McCreary Centre Society
• A non-profit, non-government organization
  committed to research, education and action on
  youth health
• Funded by BC Ministries Children and Family
  Development and Health Planning

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When, Who Where

• Scheduled for spring 2003
• A representative sample of students in grades 7
  12
• Selected schools in each of BCs 16 health
  service delivery areas

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AHS I II

• AHS I surveyed 16,000 BC students AHS II
  surveyed 26,000 BC students
• AHS I generated a provincial report and 8
  regional reports
• AHS II generated a provincial highlights report
  and 22 regional reports, plus a series of special
  topic reports

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Uses of AHS Data

• Health services planning
• Education
• Health promotion
• Prevention programs
• Youth participation

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Consultation With Government

• The following Ministries have contributed with
  input and advice to the AHS design process
• Ministries of Children Family Development
  Health Planning Public Safety and Solicitor
  General Human Resources and Community and
  Aboriginal and Womens Services

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Consultation with Stakeholders
Organizations that have contributed to the AHS
design process include

• BC School Superintendents Assoc.
• BC School Trustees Assoc.
• BC Teachers Fed.
• Simon Fraser University
• University of British Columbia

• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Foundation
• Childrens and Womens Health Centre of BC
• Workers Compensation Board
• Heart and Stroke Foundation

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The Questionnaire

• 140 questions on physical health, emotional
  health and health-risk behaviours
• Questions chosen to identify health risks in
  adolescence or in adult life
• Questions on factors that promote healthy
  adolescent development (including connections
  with family and school)
• Confidential
• Voluntary participation (youth / parent /
  guardian consent)

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Question Topics
Questions focus on the prevention of health
problems and the promotion of healthy youth
development.

• Physical health status
• Emotional health status
• Chronic illness and disabilities
• Exercise and weight issues
• Safety and violence
• Attitudes towards school

• Leisure time and work (sports, recreation, jobs,
  volunteer activities)
• Health risks (smoking, injuries, drug alcohol
  use)
• Sexual health behaviour
• Support for help with problems
• Connectedness to family and school

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What Government Says About the AHS

• I have used the data in several Provincial
  Health Officer reports. As the only ongoing
  source of such data, the Adolescent Health Survey
  provides critical information for policy makers
  at all levels.
• Dr. Perry KendallProvincial Health Officer, BC
  Ministry of Health Planning

• The Adolescent Health Survey establishes an
  evidence base for government to respond to
  emerging youth issues
• Les FosterAssistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of
  Children Family Development

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What Service Providers Say About the AHS

• We use the data to set new youth health goals
  and to tailor services at the local level many
  positive spin-offs have occurred, including
  formation of a local Youth Advisory Council. 
• Margaret Antolovich
• Manager, Community and Family Health, Coast
  Garibaldi, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority

• very thorough very useful in supporting
  discussions about developing an educational
  package for health professionals
• Janine Stevenson and Kathy Wrath
• Street Nurse Program, STD/HIV Division, BC Centre
  for Disease Control