Health behaviour and Health among Finnish Elderly (EVTK)

Summary

Type of data

Data Source
Survey

Type of Study

Data gathering method
Other: postal questionnaire

Access to data

Conditions of access

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)
Survey data

Formats available
SAS, SPSS

Coverage

Coverage Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes
Data collection is ongoing since 1985 and is collected every two years (excluding 1991). Sample size is around 2,400 individuals.

First year of collection
1985

Stratification if applicable
by age and gender

Base used for sampling

Geographical coverage and breakdowns
Predefined study regions

Age range
Currently, the age range is 65-85, but between 1985 and 1989 the age range was 65-79.

Statistical representativeness
Population representative

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics
Detailed information on health, health behaviour and functional capacity of Finnish elderly. Detailed data on: • Health status • Health behaviour (alcohol consumption, smoking, diet, physical activity) • Self-perceived health • Functional capacity • Use of aids and domestic services • Feelings of insecurity • Socioeconomic status (education)

Linkage

Standardisation
Results are standardised.

Possibility of linkage among databases
Linkages to other registries require separate applications for permission.

Data quality

Entry errors if applicable

Breaks
This representative postal survey (N= 2400) is based on a stratified random sample (stratified by age and gender) for the Finnish population aged 65-85 years. However, from 1985 to 1989 the target population was Finns aged 65-79. The data is collected in the predefined study regions. The response rate has remained high over the years, around 70 - 80 %.

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

Governance

Contact information
Satu Helakorpi
THL
THL, P.O. Box 30,
FI-00271 Helsinki Finland Phone: +358 29 524 6000
Email: satu.helakorpi@thl.fi
Url: http://www.thl.fi/fi_FI/web/fi/tutkimus/hankkeet/evtk

Timeliness, transparency