Prairie Mountain Health releases responses to second youth health survey

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Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014

By: Kate Jackman-Atkinson

myWestman.ca

Last month, the Prairie Mountain Health Authority released to the public the responses to the second Youth Health Survey, administered to Manitoba students in grades 7 to 12 during the 2012-2013 school year. The first survey was completed by students in Grades 6-12 in 2008.

While last year’s survey included many questions similar to those in the 2008 version, there were some expanded questions as well as new ones, especially in the areas of internet safety and bullying.

The questions in the survey were on topics such as the perception of health and mental well being; school and community connectedness; bullying and personal threats; sleep; physical activity; sun and UV safety; healthy eating and healthy weights; tobacco use; alcohol and drug use; injury prevention and safety and sexual health.

The survey wasn’t mandatory and in the Beautiful Plains School Division, students at all but two schools completed the survey.  “The survey was a good opportunity to collect data in a confidential way, that’s hard to do,” said school division superintendent Jason Young.

Being in a position where he hears mostly about problems, Young said that he was pleasantly surprised by the survey responses.  He noted that the responses support the work staff are doing to improve the school environment. “They [the staff] are making a positive difference to kids and the community,” he said.

Young explained that since the survey responses were a “snap shot in time”, they found the most value in comparing students’ responses in 2012 to those in 2008.  By comparing the two surveys, they hoped to find trends to help them gauge the success of their efforts.

In comparing the two surveys, Young said that they are seeing positive trends, but notes that there is still room for improvement. In 2008, 80 per cent of students said they felt that they were a part of the school. That number increased to 87 per cent in 2012. In 2008, 76 per cent of students said they were happy to be at their school. In 2012, that number increased to 82 per cent. “There are positive trends, but that being said, unless it’s at 100 per cent, we aren’t going to sit back,” said Young.

Young pointed to the students’ feeling of safety, which increased from 83 per cent in 2008 to 92 per cent in 2012. He said that while 92 per cent is above the provincial average, that means that there are 120 kids in the division who don’t feel safe at school. “That’s not acceptable,” he said. He also noted that 92 per cent of students feel safe in the community -- the same numbers as those who feel safe at school.

Compared to 2008, Young said that there were no downward trends, but added that they need to continue to challenge themselves to improve.

While it didn’t decline, he was concerned about the lack of progress in student engagement.  “If kids are engaged, they learn more,” he said. 

Young said that as a division, they will be looking more closely at the findings from the survey at their upcoming principal’s conference.  He added that they will look at what programs or policies, such as apprenticeships and additional extra curriculars, have resulted in positive changes as well as what steps can be taken in the areas that still need improvement. “We need to make sure we continue to push forward,” he said.

Since the Youth Health Survey is administered by the health authority, Young said they don’t know when the next one will be, but added that they are also taking part in the provincial Education department’s survey called “Tell them from me”.  He noted that the two surveys are similar, but the health survey includes more questions on eating and physical activity, while the education survey is more focused on connectedness. Young said that this survey also shows that students are feeling safer in school.

While there is still room for improvement, the progress seen in the students’ survey responses is cause for some celebration. “People forget about the great things [staff are doing] to connect with kids, it’s at the heard of what we do,” said Young.