Conducting a School-Based Surveillance Survey to Assess Youth Health Risk Behaviors

The Orange County Department of Health created a survey tool utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System as a guide to understand adolescent health-risk behaviors and to create opportunities to promote positive youth development. The purpose of the survey was to collect individualized school district and county level data on tobacco use, dietary behaviors and physical activity of students in grades 9 through 12; data that was previously unavailable. Students completed the questionnaire during one class period and recorded their responses directly on a computer-scannable survey. Impressively, over 10,600 students completed the survey. Current cigarette use among students was comparable to state and national averages; signaling continued support for prevention and cessation education.  Only a small percentage of Orange County high school students report meeting recommended guidelines for fruit, vegetable or daily breakfast consumption.  Half of respondents reported three or more hours per day of non-school related computer use. While this is nearly double the national average, every school district exceeded both the state and national percentages for the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day.  District level data analysis, student focus groups, and organizational presentations were conducted together with media publications to raise community awareness.  Enthusiasm and support from school administration led to commitment to the project every two years to assess trends, create innovative health education and outreach efforts, and enrich collaborative partnerships to create new and essential health programs.