Publication
National survey of tobacco-related work with young people
3. Method and sample
3.1 Method
Given the large number of agencies potentially involved in tobacco-related work across Scotland, a postal survey was considered the most feasible approach. A highly structured questionnaire was developed and piloted. A cover letter and the questionnaire introduction highlighted key details, such as the source, purpose, layout and methods of completion and identified a contact for any enquires, and reply paid envelopes were included for the return of questionnaires. Named recipients who considered the questionnaire to be irrelevant to their work were encouraged to either pass it to another person in their organisation or to inform the researchers. A three stage fieldwork procedure was used where a first reminder letter was sent to all potential respondents who failed to respond to the first mail out within 14 days, followed by a further letter and questionnaire two weeks later.
3.2 Questionnaire content
Questions focussed on work with young people on tobacco-related issues. The group of interest was defined as 10-20 year olds, although respondents were encouraged to also include work which expanded outside this age group. The questionnaire (Appendix 1) was structured around five topic areas (Table 3.1) with response options to clarify the age groups to which activities are targeted, and whether these were youth specific or incorporated young adults as part of a broader population approach.
Table 3.1 Questionnaire topic areas
| (1) Background Information |
|
| (2) Training and Resources |
|
| (3) Prevention and Education |
|
| (4) Cessation |
|
| (5) Enforcement |
|
Given the length and complexity of the questionnaire considerable efforts were made to ensure clear routing and 'signposting' from section to section.
3.3 Distribution and response rate
The questionnaire was sent to individuals working in health promotion, primary care, trading standards, statutory and voluntary youth work sectors, and Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) and Drug Action Teams (DATs). National tobacco and youth agencies were also included. Names were drawn from lists provided by a range of central agencies, for example, ASH Scotland, Community Learning Scotland and Community Health Exchange (CHEX). Details for Primary Care, SIPs and DATs respondents were accessed through web sites.
A total of 506 questionnaires were distributed to a range of agencies and organisations potentially involved in this area of work (see Table 3.2).
Table 3.2 Response to mail-out (%)
| Base: Total mail-out |
Total |
Health Promotion / Board |
Primary Care |
Trading Standards |
Youth Work |
National Organisations |
SIPs |
DATs |
Others |
| (506) % |
(56) % |
(83) % |
(32) % |
(180) % |
(62) % |
(48) % |
(19) % |
(26) % |
|
| Completed questionnaires |
42 |
32 |
43 |
91 |
46 |
35 |
27 |
- |
35 |
| Not involved |
21 |
- |
16 |
6 |
13 |
44 |
42 |
58 |
35 |
| Shared response indicated |
11 |
52 |
7 |
- |
7 |
- |
6 |
26 |
4 |
| No return* |
27 |
16 |
34 |
3 |
34 |
21 |
25 |
16 |
27 |
*Includes: No-one in this post (5); Refusal (2)
The survey achieved a relatively high response for this type of project, and respondents showed a high commitment to the study, for example contacting the CSM if their reply was delayed or they were unclear about relevance for completion. As shown in Table 3.2, 210 completed questionnaires were returned (42% of the mail-out). A further 11% indicated that another questionnaire completed by a colleague or another agency would reflect their work, strengthening the scope of the survey findings. In addition, 105 individuals (21%) responded by indicating that they or their organisation were not involved in tobacco-related work with young people. Finally, five questionnaires were returned because post held by intended respondent was vacant, and there were two refusals. The final response rate of 62% was calculated as:
Completed questionnaires + respondents indicating 'not involved' in the activity
Original mail-out
There were varied response rates across different agencies (Table 3.2). Nearly all Trading Standards Departments replied, with 91% of questionnaires completed. In contrast, there were no completed questionnaires from Drugs Action Teams, although the majority responded, with a quarter suggesting that their area of work would be reflected in another agency s response, and over half indicating that they were not involved in this area of work.
In addition to DATS, a relatively high proportion of SIPs and National Organisations also indicated that they were not involved in tobacco-related work with young people, although some respondents recognised that there was scope to address this. A third of the questionnaires originally sent to Health Promotion and other Health Board departments were returned completed, representing at least one response per Health Board area, and a further 52% indicated that their response would be reflected in one 'departmental' return. The level of completed questionnaires from other agency types ranged from 27% to 46%.
There appeared to be a 'grey area' in recognition of whether or not an organisation or individual undertook tobacco-related work. For example, some agencies might have responded that they were 'not involved', perhaps only having leaflets available, whilst another agency that did respond might have described a similar relatively low level of activity.
3.4 Sample profile
The composition of the final sample is summarised in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3 Sample profile: area of work
| Base: All respondents (210) |
||
|
% |
n |
|
| Health Promotion / Board |
9 |
(18) |
| Primary Care |
17 |
(36) |
| Trading Standards |
14 |
(29) |
| Statutory youth work |
29 |
(61) |
| Voluntary sector youth work |
10 |
(22) |
| National organisations |
10 |
(22) |
| SIPs |
6 |
(13) |
| Other |
4 |
(9) |
The youth work area makes up the largest proportion (29% statutory and 10% voluntary sectors) in part reflecting the larger mail-out. Health related agencies form relatively smaller groups (health promotion 9% and primary care 17%), followed by trading standards officers (14%). The 'national organisations' category (10%) includes tobacco focused agencies, those concerned with tobacco-related health problems, those addressing support of young people and 'uniformed' organisations. The 'others' category includes local council officers, and those working in training agencies, activity provision and agencies with a non-tobacco focus.
In addition, a broad coverage was achieved across Scotland. NHS Board areas were used as convenient units, and all areas are represented (Table 3.4).
Table 3.4 Sample profile: geographical distribution
| Base: All respondents (210) |
||
| % |
n |
|
| Greater Glasgow NHS Board |
14 |
(29) |
| Argyll and Clyde NHS Board |
10 |
(22) |
| Lothian NHS Board |
9 |
(19) |
| Lanarkshire NHS Board |
9 |
(19) |
| Grampian NHS Board |
9 |
(19) |
| Tayside NHS Board |
8 |
(16) |
| Forth Valley NHS Board |
7 |
(15) |
| Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board |
6 |
(12) |
| Highland NHS Board |
4 |
(8) |
| Borders NHS Board |
4 |
(8) |
| Fife NHS Board |
3 |
(7) |
| Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board |
3 |
(6) |
| Shetland NHS Board |
2 |
(4) |
| Orkney NHS Board |
* |
(2) |
| Western Isles NHS Board |
* |
(2) |
| Nationally based organisations |
10 |
(22) |
It should be noted that questionnaires were completed by a range of work categories within each main agency type. For example, within primary care, responses came from LHCC managers, health visitors, school nurses and, in a few cases, from those in designated tobacco-related posts. Youth work respondents ranged from area managers to individual project workers. Linked with this, there were indications that some respondents felt they might not be fully aware of the extent or nature of tobacco-related work in the area for which they were responding, implying that it would be too time-consuming to thoroughly check all activity.