An assessment of health and lifestyle surveys undertaken by health boards in Scotland (1986-95)

Abstract

Health and lifestyle surveys undertaken in Scotland during 1986-95 were reviewed by interviewing two individuals from each of the 15 Scottish health boards. Information was collected on the number, extent, cost, motivation for, and outputs from the surveys. Thirteen boards had undertaken a total of 30 surveys (15 with adults and 15 with young people). National health status targets were not cited as important reasons for undertaking earlier surveys, but are becoming increasingly important. Accurate records of costs (including opportunity costs) were not kept. Surveys provided new (but unsurprising) information on boards' popula tions and there was a sense of disappointment at the overall impact of the surveys. Thirteen boards had future plans for surveys with more qualitative and locality-based approaches.