« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
CHAPTER TWO METHODOLOGY
Contribution of the surveys
2.1 Analysis of SHS data (1999 - 2006 surveys) and of data from the most recent SHeS (2003) were integrated in order to understand more fully the ways in which long term illness and disability impact on people's lives, and to help identify more clearly their health-care requirements.
2.2 The analysis of SHS datasets was used to provide an overview of the demographic, social and economic activity of people (and households) with long-term conditions over time.
2.3 Analysis of the 2003 SHeS facilitated a more detailed exploration of health issues, by (i) examining links between self-rated measures and biological indicators of health; (ii) profiling the ways in which long-term conditions affect people's quality of life; and (iii) outlining the use of health services by people with long-term conditions.
Approach to analysis
2.4 The SHS has been conducted in two-year sweeps (i.e. 1999-2000; 2001-2002; 2003-2004; 2005-2006). Although data from each individual year are deemed to be representative of Scotland as a whole and of larger local authority areas, only the two year sample is representative of all local authorities. For this reason it was decided to base the analysis on the two-year datasets. This also carried the advantage of including sufficient numbers of respondents to allow for more detailed analysis. The profiles of adults and households with long-term conditions were based mainly on the 2005-2006 dataset. All analyses were replicated on the 1999-2000, 2001-2002 and 2003-2004 data sets, but only those which revealed any 'trends' or patterns of note are presented or commented on in the report.
2.5 Previous analysis of the SHeS for the official report (Gray and Leyland, 2005) was quite detailed, in that it investigated the effects of a number of factors (such as age, gender, socio-economic status and deprivation) known to affect health status. Moreover, other research using SHeS data (e.g. Macintyre and Mutrie 2004) has highlighted the complex nature of the relationships between socio-demographic factors and health status. Therefore, it was decided that the current analysis should adopt appropriate multivariate data analysis techniques in order to take account of a range factors affecting health.
2.6 More generally, the approach to the current research took into account analyses and reports previously conducted using the SHS and SHeS. These will be referred to throughout the report at appropriate points. Of particular relevance is Social Focus on Disability (2004), which was based on SHS data from 2001-2002.
Conventions adopted
2.7 As far as possible the conventions assumed in previous reports using these data sources were adopted in the current report.
2.8 Small sample sizes are classified and denoted as follows:
SHS
- sample size too small to produce reliable figures (<100)
SHeS
- sample size too small to produce reliable figures (<30) 9
[ ] small sample size (<50)
2.9 All the tables/figures specify the data source and year(s) used.
2.10 The percentages included in the tables and text are all based on weighted data. The numbers (bases) quoted in tables are unweighted data. Data from both surveys are weighted to adjust for differences in sampling fractions and response rates across geographical areas. Full details of the weights used in the surveys can be found in the respective user guides 10.
2.11 Unless otherwise stated, all differences reported are statistically significant at the level of p<0.01 or greater, i.e. there is a 99% (or higher) probability that the differences were not due to chance.
Structure of the report
2.12 The results are divided into three chapters. Drawing upon data from the SHS (1999-2006), Chapter 3 presents an overview of the biographic, social and economic characteristics of adults and households in Scotland with long-term conditions. Chapter 4, also drawing on SHS data, explores key aspects of the day-to-day lived experience of adults with long-term conditions, considering aspects of their neighbourhood, access to a range of services, transport use, internet access, difficulty with daily activities and care needs. Chapter 5 presents a more detailed analysis of the health and lifestyle characteristics of adults with long-term conditions using data from the SHeS. It also explores use of healthcare services.
2.13 Chapter 6 draws together some of the main findings from the research and considers the implications for future research to support health-care policy.
« Previous | Contents | Next »