Health Education Monitoring Survey 1998

Key facts

Survey coverage: England
Interviews achieved: 5,800 adults
Response Rate: 71%

Why was the survey carried out?

The Health Education Monitoring Survey (HEMS) has been carried out annually since 1995 for the Health Education Authority (HEA).

The purpose of the HEMS surveys has always been to monitor a set of health promotion indicators for health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. The 1998 HEMS questionnaire was developed to continue this monitoring role and additionally to investigate the links between social inequality and social capital and health and health-related behaviours.

Survey Topics

Topics carried in 1998 and previous HEMS:

• smoking;
• drinking;
• nutrition;
• physical activity;
• sexual health; and
• behaviour in the sun.

Topics included for the first time in 1998:

• social support;
• community involvement;
• neighbourhood characteristics; and
activities of daily living for older people

The 1998 HEMS was extended to include older people, aged 75 and over.

How is the survey done?

The 1998 HEMS interviewed 5,800 adults from private households in England in May and June 1998.

• A probability sample of addresses was selected from the Postcode Address file (PAF).
• The interview was conducted using Computer-Assisted Interviewing (CAI).
• Adults aged 16-54 were eligible for the self-completion module on sexual health. The majority of these respondents keyed in the answers themselves on to laptops, as part of the self-completion module.

Where can the results be found?

The most recent report Health in England 1998: investigating the links between social inequalities and health investigates the links between health inequalities and health behaviours and attitudes.

The published results on the Health Education Monitoring Survey are included in the following reports:

• Bridgwood, A., Malbon, G., Lader, D., and Matheson, J. Health in England 1995: what people know, what people think, what people do. HMSO (1996).
• Hansbro, J., Bridgwood, A. with Morgan, A., and Hickman, M. Health in England 1996: what people know, what people think, what people do. HMSO (1997).
• Bridgwood, A. Rainford, L. Walker, A. with Hickman, M., and Morgan, A. All change? The Health Education Monitoring Survey one year on. The Stationery Office (1998).
• Rainford, L. and Mason, V. (ONS) Hickman, M. and Morgan, A. (HEA) Health in England 1998: investigating the links between social inequalities and health. The Stationery Office (2000).

For more information about SSD or the surveys we carry out contact:
SSD Project Support Branch Tel: +44 (0)20 7533 5500 or e-mail: ssdpsb@ons.gov.uk

This page last revised: Monday, 29 October 2001