WP 5 - Collect data and quality control
Work Package 5 was dedicated to collecting the data and ensuring it was of a high quality. This work package was led by the University of Manchester.
The work package continued the work from WP4 by using the piloted instruments, existing data and survey. All Urban Areas undertaking the survey had to have existing data collected also in order to populate the tools. All questionnaires were delivered in each urban area simultaneously to allow comparability of data between urban areas. The combination of routinely available data and survey data will provide a sustainable methodology for collection, analysis and implementation of urban health indicators across Europe.
The objectives of the work package were:
1. To devise and execute a strategy for dissemination of the existing data and the survey data instruments
- In the frame of WP5, we organised training meetings and simulation meeting with partners in order to improve and use the collection data tools to improve the quality and their uses, projected and created within the work package.
2. To collect existing data in 20 Urban Areas (minimum)
- Based on the tools created in WP4 (existing data questionnaire and protocol for existing data collection), the software group designed and improved the tools for collecting existing data for urban health indicators from urban areas. A database was created for all collected existing data.
- Existing data was collected for 50 cities.
3. To collect survey data in 10 Urban Areas (minimum)
- For the adults, survey data was collected for 50 urban areas. Each urban area had an initial mailing of 1,600 questionnaires, followed by a reminder postcard for non-responders, and one further questionnaire mailing for non-responders (each mailing had a two week interval).
- For the youth, survey data was collected for 50 urban areas. Schools were contacted within each area, and schools that agreed to be a part of the study arranged for a classroom or year group of 15 year olds (+/- 1 year) to take the survey.
4. To store the data in an appropriate database
- The software group at the University of Manchester devised a web-based database for the adult and youth surveys, and an excel-based database for the existing data. Once entered into the databases, the data for all urban areas was stored on a secure computer at the University of Manchester.
5. To ensure high quality of data
- The existing data was validated by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health with a program written by the University of Manchester.
- The survey data was validated by the Institute for Public Health North Rhine Westphalia and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, using a check system for data validation and quality control designed by the University of Manchester.
- Criteria for accepting and validating the data can be found in the Cookbook - please see the documents section.
- A total of 20,439 individual adult surveys were accepted once the data had been cleaned and validated.
- A total of 13,783 individual youth surveys were accepted once the data had been cleaned and validated.
