The Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) is a low-cost surveillance project implemented jointly with WHO headquarters and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America.

The purpose of the survey is to assess among young people aged 13 to 15 years behavioural risk factors and protective factors considered the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children and adults in 10 key areas.

1. alcohol use
2. dietary behaviours
3. drug use
4. hygiene
5. mental health
6. physical activity
7. protective factors
8. sexual behaviours
9. tobacco use
10. violence and unintentional injury.

The survey also provides data to provide support to Member States in:

prioritizing health issues

developing interventions

establishing trends in prevalence of behaviours and protective factors.

Methodology

The survey is composed of a combination of core questionnaire modules, core-expanded questions and country-specific questions. The survey uses standardized forms of a self-administered questionnaire which can be administered during one regular class period.

Click on the following links to access:

Country fact sheets

Multi-country comparisons