FSD2608 University Student Health Survey 2008
The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.
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Study description in other languages
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Study title
University Student Health Survey 2008
Alternative Title
Finnish Student Health Survey 2008
Dataset ID Number
FSD2608
Persistent identifiers
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2608https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd2608
Data Type
Quantitative
Authors
- Kunttu, Kristina (Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS))
- Huttunen, Teppo (Oy 4Pharma Ltd)
Abstract
The national survey focused on the health and health-related behaviour of university and university of applied science (polytechnic) students in Finland. Questions covered physical, mental and sexual health, health behaviour, physical activity, social interaction, ability to study, study environment, bullying, the use of and satisfaction with student health services, and travel abroad.
General state of health was charted with a number of questions relating to long-term illnesses, disabilities or disorders, medicines used, sleeping habits, and the respondents' weight, height and waistline. Eating habits and disorders were also investigated as well as other physical, psychological or social symptoms causing problems. Psychosocial health was further studied using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).
Some questions studied the respondent's gambling and internet use habits and possible problems caused by them. Sporting activities, less vigorous exercise habits, and use of performance enhanching substances were surveyed. Eating habits were investigated with a number of questions, for instance, relating to following a special diet, and the consumption of milk, bread or fruit, pizza, chips etc. The respondents were also asked how often they brush or floss their teeth and use toothpaste or xylitol products.
Health-related behaviour was further studied by asking the respondents about their smoking habits, and the use of drugs and alcohol (amount, frequency). Drinking habits were charted by using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).
One theme pertained to the respondents' studies. They were asked how many years they had been enrolled as 'present' for current studies, credits earned, estimated graduation year, whether the study was full-time or part-time, study success, confidence of having chosen the right field of study, and in what kind of study-related situations they experienced emotional tension. Views were probed on the sufficiency of study guidance and advice provided by the institution. Perceptions of the workload, study engagement, meaningfulness of studying and study stress were investigated. The respondents were also asked to evaluate their financial situation. One question covered participation in paid work and working hours a week.
The survey also investigated interpersonal interaction. The respondents were asked about their household composition and living arrangements, marital status and partnerships, number of children, how many children they wanted, voluntary/civic activities, whether they felt lonely or part of a group, and whether they had someone close to them with whom they could discuss their affairs.
Use of and satisfaction with health services was studied with a few questions relating how satisfied the repondents had been the last time they had used the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) services, reason for using other, non-FSHS health services, health professionals visited during the past 12 months and where, and what type of guidance they would like in certain issues (e.g. stress or weight management, alcohol use, smoking cessation).
Some questions charted whether the respondents had been subjected to bullying at school, how often and to what kind of bullying, and whether they had been subjected to bullying or discrimination during their university studies or had themselves bullied or discriminated against others.
Sexual health questions covered sexual orientation, age when had first sexual intercourse, number of intercourses during the past month, chlamydia, use of contraception or erection enhancement medication, conceptions of at what age a woman's chances to become pregnant diminish. Problems with acne, asthma, atopic eczema, allergies and treatments used were also surveyed.
Finally, the respondents were asked about their travel abroad, exceeding 10 days, during the past 12 months: destination, purpose of travel, vaccinations taken, travel insurance, illnesses and symptoms during travel, and being subjected to crime during travel.
Background variables included the respondent's age, gender, location of the university/polytechnic, and field of study.
The study was funded by the research and development fund of the Finnish Student Health Service.
Keywords
academic achievement; alcohol use; bullying; dental health; diet and exercise; dietary habits; drinking behaviour; drug use; employment; gambling; harassment; health; health services; health status; internet use; interpersonal relations; mental health; physical activities; sexual behaviour; sexual health; sleep; students (college); travel
Topic Classification
- Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
- Medical and health sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
- Youth (CESSDA Topic Classification)
- Psychology (CESSDA Topic Classification)
- Signs and symptoms; pathological conditions (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
University Student Health SurveysDistributor
Finnish Social Science Data Archive
Access
The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.
Data Collector
- Kunttu, Kristina (Finnish Student Health Service)
- Huttunen, Teppo (Oy 4Pharma Ltd)
Data Producers
- Finnish Student Health Service
- Ministry of Education
- Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences - SAMOK
Time Period Covered
2008
Collection Dates
2008-01-23 – 2008-06-27
Nation
Finland
Geographical Coverage
Finland
Analysis/Observation Unit Type
Individual
Universe
Undergraduate students, aged under 35, studying at a university or a university of applied sciences (polytechnic) in Finland (excluding Åland University of Applied Sciences and Police College of Finland)
Time Method
Longitudinal: Trend/Repeated cross-section
Sampling Procedure
Probability: Stratified
Stratified random sampling. The sample of university students was drawn from the client registers of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) in December 2007. Subsamples were drawn by municipality in each location where the FSHS provides services for students. The sample of university of applied sciences students consisted of subsamples drawn from the student registers of each university of applied sciences. The request for student addresses and research permit was sent to all 28 universities of applied sciences in Finland (excluding Åland University of Applied Sciences and the Police College of Finland), of which 27 complied. In all subsamples, the proportion of sampled students compared to the total number of students in the university was kept the same. Only students who were born in 1973 or later and who were enrolled as 'present' for the study year 2007-2008 were included in the samples.
The stratified sampling produced a sample of 5,000 university students and 4,999 university of applied science students. Of them, 32 students were dropped because they were either abroad as exchange students or their questionnaire was returned more than once. The final sample size was 9,967 students, of whom 45,2% were men and 54,8% women. The proportion of men was 46% for university students and 45% for university of applied sciences students. The participants were given the option of answering an online questionnaire instead of filling in the traditional paper questionnaire.
Collection Mode
Self-administered questionnaire: Paper
Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)
Research Instrument
Structured questionnaire
Response Rate
51.1
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 and English.
FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.
Number of Cases and Variables
516 variables and 5099 cases.
Data Version
2.0
Completeness of Data and Restrictions
For confidentiality reasons, following anonymisation measures were carried out during archiving: age (k1) was categorised into 6 categories, location (municipality) of the institution (k3) was coarsened to NUTS3 region, and field of study (k4a) was coarsened according to the ISCED classification. Years spent enrolled as 'present' for the studies (k81) were categorised, and information about whether or not the respondent had graduated during the academic year 2007-2008 was removed. The largest values in the "number of children" variable (k98) were categorised into a single category (2 and over). Variables "height" and "weight" were coded into separate variables for men and women (k11a/b, k12a/b), and values were top- and bottom-coded. Almost all open-ended responses were removed from the data. Identifiers were removed from the remaining open-ended responses; anonymisations carried out at FSD were marked with [square brackets].
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)) & Huttunen, Teppo (Oy 4Pharma Ltd): University Student Health Survey 2008 [dataset]. Data version 2.0 (2018-06-26). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd2608; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2608
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.
Other Material
See downloadable files at the top of the page.
More information on the research project
Related Materials
Kunttu Kristina & Huttunen, Teppo (2009). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveystutkimus 2008 [verkkodokumentti]. Helsinki: Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiö. Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiön tutkimuksia; 45. Saatavissa: http://www.yths.fi/filebank/582-Tutkimus_2008_verkkoon.pdf [viitattu 9.3.2011].
Related Publications
Opiskelijaperheet ja opintotuki (2009). Helsinki: Opetusministeriö. Opetusministeriön työryhmämuistioita ja selvityksiä 2009:14.
Salmela-Aro, Katariina & Kunttu, Kristina (2010). Study burnout and engagement in higher education. Unterrichtswissenshaft 38(4), 318-333.
Salmela-Aro, Katariina (2009). Opiskelu-uupumusmittari SBI-9 yliopisto- ja ammattikorkeakouluopiskelijoille. Helsinki: Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiön tutkimuksia; 46.
Kunttu, Kristina & Huttunen, Teppo (2001). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveystutkimus 2000. Helsinki: Kansaneläkelaitos. Sosiaali- ja terveysturvan katsauksia; 45.
Kunttu, Kristina & Huttunen, Teppo (2009). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveystutkimus 2008. Helsinki: Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiö. Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiön tutkimuksia; 45.
Jauhiainen, Janne & Korkeaoja, Lauri & Lavikainen, Elina & Niemelä, Anna & Penttilä, Johanna (2009). Silmäyksiä perheellisten korkeakouluopiskelijoiden tilanteeseen. Helsinki: Opiskelijajärjestöjen tutkimussäätiö Otus rs 32/2009.
Nieminen, Anna (2011). A comparative analysisis of questionnaires assessing mental health, stress and burnout. Brussels: Hogeschool Universiteit Brussel. Master thesis.
Opiskeluterveys (2011). Toim. Kunttu, Kristina & Komulainen, Anne & Makkonen, Katri & Pynnönen, Päivi. Helsinki: Duodecim.
Lehtonen, Kati & Hakonen, Harto (2013). Liikunnan harrastaminen ja vapaaehtoistyö urheiluseuroissa. Julkaisussa: Liikunnan kansalaistoiminnan tietopohja. Valtion liikuntaneuvoston julkaisuja 6/2013, 7-17. https://www.liikuntaneuvosto.fi/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Liikunnan-kansalaistoiminta_tietopohja.pdf [viitattu17.2.2025]
Hentilä A. & Miettinen I. & Kunttu K. & Tammelin T. & Venojärvi, M. & Korpelainen R. (2015). Muutokset korkeakouluopiskelijoiden kunto- ja hyötyliikunnassa vuosina 2000-2012. Liikunta & Tiede 2015:52(1), 64-69.
Lagström, Hanna (2011). Opiskelijoiden ruokatottumukset. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A., Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2011:190-194.
Miettinen, I. & Kunttu, K. (2011). Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden liikunta. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A., Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2011: 198-201.
Pirskanen, M. & Pietilä, A.-M. (2011). Päihteiden käyttö ja päihteettömyyden edistäminen. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A., Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2011: 179-88.
Puusniekka, Riikka & Kunttu, K. (2011). Miltä opiskelukyky näyttää tutkimusten valossa? Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A., Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2011: 36-40.
Pörhölä M. (2011). Kouluaikaisten kiusaamiskokemusten vaikutus nuoren aikuisen hyvinvointiin ja ihmissuhteisiin. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A., Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2011: 46-48.
Rönnemaa, A.-M. (2011). Rokotukset ja matkailuneuvonta. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A., Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2011: 117-119.
Virtala, A. & Vilska, S. & Huttunen, T. & Kunttu, K. (2012). The desire for children and awareness about the impact of age on female fertility. Gynaecology Forum Vol. 17, No. 3, 2012.
Paajanen, Pirjo & Kunttu, Kristiina & Rönnemaa, Anna-Maija & Huttunen, Teppo (2015). Astmaa sairastavien korkeakouluopiskelijoiden hoitotasapaino sekä lääkkeiden ja palvelujen käyttö. Yleislääkäri 30(7), 29-34.
Tossavainen, Marjo (2015). Rahapeliongelmien riskit ja erityispiirteet korkeakouluopiskelijoilla. Teoksessa Rahapeliriippuvuus (toim. Hannu Alho & Pekka Heinälä & Kalervo Kiianmaa & Tuuli Lahti & Antti Murto). Helsinki: Kustannus Oy Duodecim.
Tossavainen M.: Haitallinen netinkäyttö ja rahapelaaminen julkaisussa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (online). Kustannus Oy Duodecim 7.4.2017
Halme N, Kunttu K. (2018). Miltä suomalaisten opiskelijoiden opiskelukyky näyttää tutkimuksen valossa? Julkaisussa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (online). Helsinki: Kustannus Oy Duodecim. Saatavissa Internetissä, vaatii käyttäjätunnuksen. Artikkelin tunnus: ote00009 (003.004).
Tipuri Marjo, Vuorinen A, Pesonen T, Huttunen T, Kunttu K. (2020) Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden suun terveystottumukset. Suomen hammaslääkärilehti 2020;27(9):22-28.
Kunttu Kristina (2012). Suomalaisten yliopisto-opiskelijoiden tupakointi vuosina 1958-2008. Suomen Lääkärilehti 2012; 67(22):1742-1748. https://www.laakarilehti.fi/tieteessa/katsausartikkeli/suomalaisten-yliopisto-opiskelijoiden-tupakointi-vuosina-1958-2008/ [viitattu 17.2.2025]
Kunttu Kristina, Ansala J. (2021) Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden liikunta. 2021:214-216. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Kosola S, Seilo N, Väyrynen T. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (2. uudistettu painos). Kustannus Oy Duodecim.
Lagström Hanna (2021) Opiskelijoiden ruokatottumukset. 2021:203-206. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Kosola S, Seilo N, Väyrynen T. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (2. uudistettu painos).
Virtala Aira, Klemetti R. (2021) Perheelliset korkeakouluopiskelijat. 2021:32-35. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Kosola S, Seilo N, Väyrynen T. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (2. uudistettu painos). Kustannus Oy Duodecim.
Virtala Aira, Klemetti R. (2018) Perheelliset korkeakouluopiskelijat. Teoksessa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (online-versio). Kustannus Oy Duodecim. Artikkelin tunnus ote 00002 (001.002)
Saari Juhani, Villa T. (2017) Opiskelua ristipaineessa - yliopisto-opiskelijoiden hyvinvointivajeet, niiden kasautuminen ja yhteys psyykkiseen oireiluun. Julkaisussa Kunttu K, Pesonen T, Saari J. Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveystutkimus 2016. YTHS:n tutkimuksia 48, 2017:107-126. Korkeakouluopiskelijoiden terveystutkimus (KOTT) - YTHS. https://www.yths.fi/app/uploads/2020/01/KOTT_2016-1.pdf [viitattu 17.2.2025]
Kunttu Kristina, Makkonen K. (2011) Opiskelijoiden sairaudet ja koettu terveys. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim. 2011: 208-212
Pörhölä Maili (2011) Kiusaaminen opiskeluyhteisöissä. Kirjassa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys. Kustannus Oy Duodecim. 2011:166-168.
Kunttu Kristina (2009) Yhteisöt terveyden tukena (kolumni). Aikalainen N:o 8/8.5.2009.
Pörhölä, Maili (2016). Do the roles of bully and victim remain stable from school to university? Theoretical considerations. In Bullying Among University Students : Cross-national perspectives (eds. Helen Cowie & Carrie Anne Myers), 35-46. Abingdon: Routledge.
Pörhölä M.: Kiusaaminen opiskelijoiden keskuudessa. Julkaisussa Kunttu K, Komulainen A, Makkonen K, Pynnönen P. (toim.) Opiskeluterveys (online). Helsinki: Kustannus Oy Duodecim, 2017 (ote00046).
Lehtonen K, Hakonen H. (2013). Basic information on civic activity in Finnish sports: Participation and volunteer work i sports clubs. English summary. LIKES -Researsh Center for Sport and Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland. Liikunnan kansalaistoiminnan tietopohja, Liikunnan harrastaminen ja vapaaehtoistyö urheiluseuroissa
Nieminen A. A comparative analysisis of questionnaires assessing mental health, stress and burnout. Master thesis, Hogeschool Universiteit Brussel, May 2011.
Study description in machine readable DDI-C 2.5 format
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