Study title

Health and Lifestyle Survey of University Students 1993-1998

Dataset ID Number

FSD1292

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD1292

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Kunttu, Kristina (Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS))

Abstract

This follow-up study charted the health, health-related behaviour and social relationships of Turku University students. The target group consisted of students who first began their studies in the academic year 1993-1994. Data collection was carried out in their first, third and fifth study year, and the same questionnaires were used for each round (survey questionnaire and the standard health questionnaire of the Finnish Student Health Service).

Respondents' state of health was studied with questions about illnesses, disabilities or injuries diagnosed by a physician. Self-reported symptoms and health problems (e.g. insomnia, back pain, headaches, dizziness), and the use of non-prescription medicine, vitamins and herbal medicine were surveyed. One question asked how concerned respondents were about their own health. Respondents were asked about their eating habits (e.g. use of spreads, milk products, vegetables, pastry, fast food), special diets, dieting and appetite. One topic covered exercise and everyday physical activities, and perceived physical fitness. Further questions covered dental health and dental visits, alcohol consumption, use of illegal drugs, and smoking and attitudes towards smoking. Respondents were also asked whether they felt they should achieve a healthier diet, take more exercise or quit smoking etc. Use of contraceptives and the need for them were charted.

One theme pertained to road safety: the use of seat belts, cycle helmets and reflectors (which enable motorists to notice pedestrians) were examined. Social life and social relationships were charted by asking about respondents' participation in voluntary organizations, leisure time habits, social networks, time spent with friends, and availability of social support. Mental health section of the questionnaire covered the feelings of depression, strain and anxiety. Respondents were also asked whether they had any problems with the following: studies, contacts with other people, contacts with opposite sex, sexuality, relations with parents, future plans, own strength and abilities.

Background variables included sex, marital status, number of under-age children, year when graduated from high school (Finnish matriculation examination certificate), municipality of origin, municipality of residence, tenure, faculty and mother tongue.

Keywords

alcohol use; dental health; diet and exercise; dietary habits; drug use; exercise (physical activity); food and nutrition; health; health status; interpersonal relations; life styles; mental health; physical activities; road safety; smoking; social life; students (college); undergraduates

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Medical and health sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Youth (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• General health and well-being (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Drug abuse, alcohol and smoking (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Physical fitness and exercise (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Diet and nutrition (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Kunttu, Kristina (Finnish Student Health Service)

Data Producers

• Finnish Student Health Service

Time Period Covered

1993 – 1998

Collection Dates

1993-08 – 1998-05

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Turku university students who began their studies in the academic year 1993-1994 (excluding foreign students, students aged 30 or over, and students who study in departments situated outside the area of Turku)

Time Method

Longitudinal: Cohort/Event-based

Sampling Procedure

Total universe/Complete enumeration

The sample of the first survey consisted of 1991 students. During the follow-up period, graduation, drop-outs and transfers to other universities and university faculties reduced the target group to 1473 persons.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

65.4 (year 1993), 62.4 (1996) and 59.8 (1998)

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

2.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

The survey questionnaire variables begin with a q, and the variables connected to the standard health questionnaire of the Finnish Student Health Service begin with a t. The variable numbering corresponds with that of the original questionnaires. The sequence number added after each variable name denotes whether the variable pertains to the first, second or third survey (e.g. q1_1, q1_2 and q1_3).

The year 1993 data do not contain responses to the open-ended response categories. To prevent identification, variables concerning respondents' height and weight were top-coded, and all open-ended variables were removed with the exception of variables concerning respondents' eating habits.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Kunttu, Kristina (Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS)): Health and Lifestyle Survey of University Students 1993-1998 [dataset]. Version 2.0 (2018-09-13). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD1292

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Special Terms and Conditions for Access

Users of the data shall send the creator of the data a copy of all publications based on or using the data. If printed, to the mail address: Medical Director, FSHS, Töölönkatu 37 A, 00260 Helsinki, FINLAND. If electronic, to the e-mail address: firstname.lastname@yths.fi. More detailed contact information: https://www.yths.fi/en/contact-information/administration/

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Ollitervo-Peltonen, Riitta & Kunttu, Kristina & Ahola, Virpi & Seppänen, Eila (2001). Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden koettu terveys ja stressi viiden opiskeluvuoden aikana. Työterveyslääkäri 19(1), 116-120.

Kunttu, Kristina & Ollitervo-Peltonen, Riitta & Seppänen, Eila & Ahola, Virpi (2002). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden sosiaalisten suhteiden yhteys opiskeluajan stressiin. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen Aikakauslehti 39(4), 263-272.

Kunttu, Kristina & Kylmälä, Mervi (2003). Terveystottumusten pysyvyys ja muutokset viiden opiskeluvuoden aikana. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen Aikakauslehti 40(1), 34-48.

Kunttu, Kristina & Huhtala, Sakke (1999). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden sosiaaliset suhteet ja koettu terveys. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen Aikakauslehti 36(2), 90-98.

Kunttu, Kristina & Huhtala, Sakke (1999). Raportti turkulaisten korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveydestä ja terveyskäyttäytymisestä 1., 3. ja 5. opiskeluvuotena (moniste). Turku: Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiö.

Kunttu, Kristina & Almonkari, Merja & Kylmälä, Mervi & Huttunen, Teppo (2006). Yliopisto-opiskelijoiden esiintymisvarmuus ja esiintymisjännitys opiskeluterveydenhuollon näkökulmasta. Sosiaalilääketieteellinen Aikakauslehti 43(4), 320-330.

Kunttu, Kristina (1997). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveyskäyttäytyminen ja sosiaaliset suhteet. Helsinki: Kansaneläkelaitos. Sosiaali- ja terveysturvan tutkimuksia; 28.