[Population Health Surveys in Spain: description of methodologies and contents].

Abstract

Objective: Population-based Health Surveys (PHS) are essential tools for assessing population health status and its determinants. Since 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) has promoted their development in various countries to enhance the planning and assessment of health policies. The aim of this study was to identify the PHS carried out by the autonomous communities of Spain, and to describe their administrative, methodological, content-related, and dissemination characteristics.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on Spanish and regional PHS carried out in Spain up to 2023. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire, initially completed via official reports and websites, and subsequently validated by the Technical Group on Population-based Health Surveys of the Spanish Ministry of Health. A descriptive analysis of the data was carried out using numerical summaries and frequency tables, according to the variables.

Results: A total of fourteen ongoing PHS were identified, displaying high variability in periodicity and sampling methodologies. Seventy-one percent of them were official statistical operations. Most surveys used computer-assisted personal interviews, with an average duration of forty-five minutes for adults and fifteen minutes for children, and collect data on social determinants of health, healthcare utilization, and health status. Differences were noted in the inclusion of pediatric populations and the application of standardized scales for quality of life and mental health. No longitudinal surveys were found.

Conclusions: PHS are fundamental for public health decision-making. Enhancing methodological and content harmonization, incorporating longitudinal designs, and linking with administrative records could significantly improve their utility. Additionally, promoting open access to PHS data and expanding result dissemination are recommended to maximize their impact on Public Health policies.