McCreary Centre Society Adolescent Health Survey (AHS IV) January– May 2008.
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Transcript of McCreary Centre Society Adolescent Health Survey (AHS IV) January– May 2008.
McCreary Centre Society
McCreary Centre Society: A non-profit, non-government organization
committed to research, education and action on youth health
What we do:
Province wide survey of youth in school every 5 years
Special population surveys (street-involved youth, youth in custody, youth in alternate education programs Aboriginal youth, etc).
Youth engagement and leadership projects
Project of…
McCreary Centre Society
AHS IV
Funded by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Children and Family Development
No cost to School Districts
Survey designed with input from interested BC Ministries, consultation with stakeholders (including Parent Advisory Committees,School Trustees, Superintendents, academics, Statistics Canada, etc.) and youth
McCreary Centre Society
What is the AHS?
A confidential, 146 item questionnaire
Administered by Public Health Nurses
Administered to students in Grades 7-12
Contains questions about physical and emotional health
Provides current, accurate information about what BC youth know, think and do about their health
McCreary Centre Society
Who participates?
All School Districts in BC are invited to participate:
AHS I AHS II AHS III
1992 1998 2003
# of students 16,000 26,000 31,000
# of SD 64% 72% 76%
McCreary Centre Society
Who participates?
A randomly selected sample of classrooms is drawn by Statistics Canada
Schools determine which classes within the sample are surveyed
Parents are informed of the survey and can refuse to allow their child to participate
Students can choose not to participate at any point before or during the survey
McCreary Centre Society
How is the data used?
A provincial report which highlights the state of youth health in BC including trends over the past 15years
16 regional reports
Topic specific facts sheets and reports
Inform policy and practise of federal and provincial government, educators, health professionals and others working with youth
Measure success of current policies
McCreary Centre Society
Results from AHS III (2003)
18% drop in smoking since 1998
9 out of 10 youth report good or excellent health
Youth are waiting longer to have sex
Youth are waiting longer to try alcohol
Drinking and driving decreased significantly among licensed drivers
Majority of students participated in physical activity
McCreary Centre Society
Results from AHS III (2003)
Less than half of youth always felt safe at school
More youth were overweight and obese
Internet safety was a concern, especially for girls
Binge drinking rates had risen
Suicide attempt rates had not changed in a decade
McCreary Centre Society
Results from AHS III (2003)
The health of BC youth improved over the past decade
Youth who felt safe and connected at school, home and in their community had consistently better health, took fewer risks and had higher educational aspirations.
Youth who reported high level of school Connectedness(AHS III Results)
43%
28%23% 22%
23%30%
0%
25%
50%
75%
Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
School connectedness & risk behaviour(AHS III Results)
41%53%
45%34%
27%38%
25% 23%15%
23%15% 16%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Ever smoked Ever usedmarijuana
Involved inphysical fight
Ever had sex
Low Medium High
Weekly participation in extracurricular activities (past year)(AHS III results)
21%
32%28%
11%
24% 22%
0%
25%
50%
Poor/fair health Ever smoked Ever had sex
Did not participate Partcipated
Family connectedness & risk behaviours(AHS III Results)
51%41%
35%38%
26% 23%23%15% 14%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Ever used marijuana Ever smoked Ever had sex
Low Medium High
McCreary Centre Society
Why participate?
Comprehensive picture of the health of youth and ensures local youth are included in provincial picture
Provincial and regional reports and access to specific reports and fact sheets
Youth workshops using regional data and adult and youth presentations
Comprehensive data on youth health trends over the past 15 years
Continued participation will allow for trend data
Participating School Districts receive confidential set of data tables
McCreary Centre Society
What’s the impact on schools?
Takes one class period (30-45 min)
Administered by Public Health Nurses
Administrations are scheduled between school and nurses
School holds a copy of questionnaire for parents to view
McCreary deals with all parent and student enquiries
McCreary Centre Society
What's on the questionnaire?
Questions have been evaluated, tried and tested and many are used internationally
Questions address physical health, emotional health and health-risk behaviours
Questions address factors that promote healthy youth development (including connections with family, community and school)
McCreary Centre Society
What topics are covered?
Sports and leisure activities
School achievement
Nutrition
Cultural connections
Injury prevention
Substance use
Use of technology
Sexual behaviour
Family connectedness
School safety
Exercise and weight issues
Chronic illness and disabilities
Emotional health
Peer relationships
McCreary Centre Society
Who uses 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
McCreary Centre Society
Who uses the AHS?
“..It has become very apparent that we need credible, in depth research into the constantly shifting world of teenage culture, health beliefs, habits and trend characteristics. One of the most substantive tools we have at our disposal is the work of the McCreary Centre Society and the reports that they produce in the province every five years.”
Jeff Stewart Middle School Principal
Courtenay
McCreary Centre Society
Who uses the AHS?
“The data collected has been used by all of us in the businesses of caring for youth. McCreary has the best data of its kind in the world; we are fortunate to be in the place where it is generated. Our kids deserve no less.”
Jim LathamAssistant Superintendent, Retired
School District 33
McCreary Centre Society
Who uses the AHS?
“We have used the data to set new health goals and to tailor services at the local level.”
Margaret AntolovichManager, Community and Family Health Coast Garibaldi
Vancouver Coastal health
McCreary Centre Society
For more information on the Adolescent Health Survey
www.mcs.bc.ca
Questions can be directed to:
Annie Smith Managing DirectorMcCreary Centre Society
[email protected]: 604-291-1996 ext 225