‌HEALTH BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (HBSC) IRELAND

World Health Organization Collaborative Cross-National Study

The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is a WHO collaborative cross-national study that monitors the health behaviours, health outcomes and social environments of school-aged children every four years. HBSC Ireland surveys school-going children aged 9-18 years. The study is conducted by the HBSC Ireland team, based at the Health Promotion Research Centre, University of Galway.

The HBSC research network is an international alliance of researchers that collaborate on the cross-national survey of school students: Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). The HBSC collects data every four years on 11-, 13- and 15-year-old boys' and girls' health and well-being, social environments and health behaviours. These years mark a period of increased autonomy that can influence how their health and health-related behaviours develop.

HBSC uses the findings at both a national and international level to:

• gain new insight into young people's health and well-being
• understand the social determinants of health and
• inform policy and practice to improve young people's lives

HBSC was initiated in 1982 with the first study conducted in 1983/1984 in five countries.  HBSC now includes 51 countries and regions across Europe and North America.

‌For more information see: 
HBSC International Website
 
WHO Regional Office for Europe Website
 
HBSC International Information Sheet

HBSC Terms of Reference
 
HBSC Twitter 

HBSC STUDY METHOD & DESIGN

HBSC is a school-based survey with data collected through self-completion questionnaires administered by teachers in the classroom. 

The international standard questionnaire enables the collection of common data across participating countries and thus enables the quantification of patterns of key health behaviours, health indicators and contextual variables. These data allow cross-national comparisons to be made and, with successive surveys, trend data analysis is also possible.

A Research Protocol is produced every HBSC survey cycle. Each protocol includes scientific rationales for the survey items, the standard international questionnaire and technical appendices on data collection and management. Methodological development since the study's inception in 1982 is described in the following article: The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: methodological developments and current tensions. International Journal of Public Health, 54, S140–150 [methodology]

With a research base of over 35 years, and a collaboration stretching across 50 countries and regions, HBSC has attracted the attention of researchers both within and outside existing member countries. For further information about the HBSC survey design and research approach, you will need to register for a copy of the HBSC International Protocol.

Register for a copy of the 2017/18 HBSC International Protocol.

Protocol reference: Inchley J, Currie D, Cosma A & Samdal O, editors. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study Protocol: background, methodology and mandatory items for the 2017/18 survey. St Andrews: CAHRU; 2018.

If you require more information please email hbscstudyprotocol@hbsc.org