A unique contemporary archive of young people, this new report provides the answers to over 100 health-related behaviour questions.
Annually since 1986, the Schools Health Education Unit has published the collected Health Related Behaviour Questionnaire (HRBQ) results. Data from more than 700,000 pupils between the ages of 8 and 18, have now been recorded since the questionnaire's launch in 1977. More than 5,600 separate school surveys have been carried out, some schools repeating surveys of their pupils on five occasions. The data banks at SHEU are a unique resource that are consulted by a wide range of groups and individuals including Local Education Authorities, Public Health Authorities, Government Offices, University departments, schools, teachers and other interested individuals.
The 20th report, Young People into 2006 shows figures and graphs from youngsters between the ages of 10 and 15 regarding what they do at home, at school, and with their friends. Findings from this years survey include:
. Up to 57% of the 14-15 year olds are fairly sure' or certain' that they know a drug user.
. Up to 17% of 14-15 year olds have mixed drugs and alcohol 'on the same occasion'
Dr. David Regis, Research Manager with SHEU said:
"Most young people don't smoke, or use drugs, and those that drink usually do so in moderation. It's very easy to focus only on the behaviour of those few young people who use illegal drugs or who drink to excess.
"After a peak in the middle 1990s and then a drop, drug use among these young people seems to have settled down. The most common drug they have tried is cannabis; we have seen no sign that the reclassification of cannabis has resulted in its greater use by young people. This is a very important 'negative' finding."
For more information go to
Source: www.sheu.org.uk
Posted: 7th June 2006
