Scottish Health Survey: content review

7. Topics currently included in SHeS

Information is collected at both household and individual level in SHeS. Table 1 below outlines the topics asked in the main interview, including who they are asked of and how frequently they are asked. Some questions are included in the survey every year whilst others rotate in and out every two, three or four years.

7.1 Main interview

Table 1: Overview of topics included in SHeS main interview

Main interview (asked of everyone)

Annual questions

• Household questionnaire including household composition
• Education (16+)
• Employment and economic activity (16+)
• Ethnic background, religion and country of birth (0+)
• General health (0+)
• Unpaid Caring (4+)
• COVID-19 (0+)
• General cardiovascular disease (16+)
• Asthma (0+)
• Respiratory (16+)
• Physical activity adults (16+) and children (2-15)
• Sedentary activity adults (16+) and children (2-15)
• Eating habits children (2-15)
• Fruit and vegetables consumption (2+)
• Smoking (18+)
• Passive smoking (0+)
• Drinking (18+)
• Dental health (16+)

Biennial questions

Use of cardiovascular disease services (16+) - Asked in odd years

Chronic pain (0+) - Asked in even years

CPR training (16+) - Asked in odd years

Parental history/Family health (16+) - Asked in odd years

Vitamins and supplements (0+) - Asked in odd years

Rotating modules (only asked of those assigned to Version A - around two thirds of the sample)

Motivation/barriers to physical activity (16+) - Asked in even years

Accidents (0+) - Asked in odd years

Asthma (0+) – detailed questions about whistling/wheezing - Asked in even years

Respiratory (16+) – detailed questions about phlegm and breathing - Asked in even years

Discrimination and harassment (16+) - Asked in odd years

Stress at work (16+) - Asked in odd years

Dental services (16+) - Asked in odd years

7.2 Self-completions

Questions that are considered to be of a sensitive nature are answered directly by the respondent via online self-completion or within a paper self-completion booklet if the respondent prefers. Unlike the main interview, respondents' answers are not known to the interviewer or other residents of the household.

There are four types of self-completing included in SHeS depending on the age of the respondent. The adult self-completion - typically completed by those aged 18+. The young adult self-completion – typically completed by those aged 16-17. There is a self-completion for 13-15 year olds and one for children aged 4-12 which a parent/carer is asked to complete on behalf of their child(ren).

The self-completion for young adults aged 16-17 includes questions on smoking and drinking behaviour (instead of these being asked as part of the main interview). Interviewers also have the option of using this young adult self-completion for those aged 18-19 if they feel that it would be more appropriate for them to answer the questions in this format rather than face to face (e.g. they might be more likely to give more honest answers than in the face to face interview when other household members including parents may be present).

Tables 2-5 below outline the topics asked in the self-completions, including who they are asked of and how frequently they are asked.

Table 2: Overview of topics included in SHeS adult self-completions

Self-completion – Adults aged 18+

Annual topics

• Mental wellbeing
• Loneliness
• Sexual orientation
• Sex/trans status
• Veterans
• Depression, anxiety, self-Harm and suicide (only asked of those assigned to Version B – approximately a third of adults)

Non annual topics

• Adverse childhood experiences (2021)
• Problem drinking (every 2 years)
• Drugs (every 2 years)
• Gambling (every 4 years)
• Food insecurity (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Social capital (every 2 years)

Table 3: Overview of topics included in SHeS young adult self-completion booklets

Self-completion - Young adults

Annual topics

• Mental wellbeing
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Loneliness
• Sexual orientation
• Sex/trans status

Non annual topics

• Problem drinking (every 2 years)
• Adverse childhood experiences (2021)
• Food insecurity (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
• Social capital (every 2 years)

Table 4: Overview of topics included in 13-15 year olds self-completion booklets

Self-completion - 13-15 year olds

Annual topic

• Mental wellbeing

Table 5: Overview of topics included in 4-12 year olds self-completion booklets

Self-completion - Parents of 4-12 year olds

Annual topic

• Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)

7.3 Adult diet questions

Up until 2020, questions about adults' diet were included in the main interview. In 2021, Intake-24 an online food diary tool for adults aged 16+, was introduced into the survey as a new way to gather information on adults' diet. The questions included in Intake-24 are out with the scope of this review.

7.4 Height and weight measurements

All adults and children (2+) are invited to provide height and weight measurements, usually these measurements are undertaken by the interviewer. For the 2020 and 2021 surveys, heights and weights were self-reported since using the standard in-home method of collecting these measurements was not possible.

7.5 Biological module

Adult participants (16+) assigned to version B are invited to complete the biological module. As part of this module, participants are asked whether they use any medicines, pills, syrups, ointments, puffers or injections prescribed to them by a doctor or nurse. If participants answer yes to questions in the main interview about taking medication for high blood pressure, a heart condition or stroke, then they would be asked to give the names of the drugs to the interviewer. This information is used to interpret blood pressure readings. Following these questions, interviewers take a series of physical measurements including: blood pressure, waist circumference, and a saliva sample. The saliva sample is analysed in conjunction with participants self-reported smoking behaviours to interpret the analysis of salivary cotinine and anabasine which are derivatives of nicotine and indicative of exposure to second-hand smoke.