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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Diane Pilkey, RN MPH¹, Riley Peters, PhD², and Judy Schoder, MN RN¹. (1) Department of Health, Washington State, PO Box 47835, Olympia, WA 98504, 360-236-3526, diane.pilkey@doh.wa.gov, (2) Washington State Department of Health, PO Box 47835, Olympia, WA 98504

Background: Washington State administers the Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) biannually to 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders. The cost of the survey administration is $550,000, with the bulk (80%) of the money coming from Tobacco settlement dollars. A state sample is drawn but any public school can participate at no cost. In 2004, the HYS was completed by more than 185,000 students across all 39 counties in the state.

Methods: Eligible schools, school districts, and counties receive reports and PowerPoint slides summarizing the results. Nine trainings on understanding and using HYS results were offered around the state and attended by school and community agency personnel. Training topics included: survey overview and background; statistical issues; overview of local reports; using HYS data for program planning; and how to communicate with HYS data. Revisions to the survey forms are completed collaboratively with stakeholder input, including a public meeting.

Results: HYS data are used for program planning, implementation and evaluation at the school, community and state levels. The data are also providing the basis to develop a statewide adolescent health plan.

Conclusions: Washington State has been able to develop an instrument and process that meets the needs of divergent groups and provides key information on the health of adolescents. Challenges continue such as meeting stakeholders needs for information while keeping the survey length manageable. The emphasis on being collaborative requires time and resources and sometimes slows the process.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to articulate

• How Washington State is administering its youth survey
• How youth survey data are being used in Washington State for program planning and evaluation

Keywords: Adolescents, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered