Tobacco-Related Longitudinal Studies
31. Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP)
Data Custodian: University of QueenslandAvailable for analysis: Yes
Purpose: The MUSP is a birth cohort study which recruited more than 8,000 pregnant women in 1981-3 and has followed the mother and her children (in effect two linked cohort studies) since that time. Data is available up to 27 years follow-up for mothers and 30 years follow- up for the children. Smoking data was collected from the mothers early in pregnancy and at every follow-up thereafter. Children were asked about their smoking from 14 years of age onwards. The basic structure of questions is that they assess frequency and quantity of cigarettes smoked. The study is able to assess changes in smoking behaviour over time. A series of published papers are available.
At every phase of the study (first clinic visit, late pregnancy, 6 months, 5, 14, 21 and 27 years after the birth) mothers are asked the following questions:
- In the last week how often did you smoke cigarettes?
- In the last week how many usually smoked per day?
Child exposure to tobacco smoking is assessed in maternal reports up to the child reaching 14 years of age. Subsequently, the children are asked questions about their own smoking behaviour. http://www.socialscience.uq.edu.au/musp-introduction
Frequency: Irregular
Commenced: 1981
Most recent: 2002, continuing
Sample size at wave 1: 8,556
Strengths: This longitudinal study is able to demonstrate the path by which risk factors have an effect on obstetric morbidity and mortality.
Limitations: This broad longitudinal study may lack depth in certain areas in order to cover a wide range of factors. There was a diminished response rate with each phase (although this is expected in such studies). Top of Page
32. 45 and Up Study
Data Custodian: Sax InstituteAvailable for analysis: Yes, by completing an application form on the Sax Institute website
Purpose: Over 250,000 men and women from the NSW population aged 45 years and over participate in the 45 and Up Study to help researchers understand how Australians are ageing. Data include a baseline questionnaire, 5-yearly repeat questionnaires linkage to routinely collected health data (i.e., with ethics approval), and more intensive measures from sub-studies conducted within the cohort. The whole cohort will be resurveyed in 2012-2015 for the first follow-up.
Tobacco-related questions ask about how many hours a week participants are exposed to passive smoke at home; if they have ever been a regular smoker; and how many cigarettes they smoke on average daily.
https://www.saxinstitute.org.au/our-work/45-up-study/
Frequency: Five yearly
Commenced: February 2006 (pilot in 2005)
Most recent: First wave of 5 year follow-up of baseline participants commenced in September 2012 and is ongoing (follow-up data not available at the time of developing this resource).
Sample size (year): Approximately 260,000
Strengths: Provides a unique longitudinal dataset.
Limitations: A limitation of the study is the lack of large-scale clinical data on biological measures. It is intended that many of these will be gathered as part of sub-studies within the cohort. Top of Page
33. Footsteps in Time – Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)
Data Custodian: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)Available for analysis: Yes, apply to FaHCSIA)
Purpose: The aim of the study is to better understand what impacts on Indigenous children’s lives over time and how these children can be best supported to grow up strong and resilient. The parents and carers of two groups of children, typically aged between 6 to 18 months (B cohort) and 3½ - 5 years (K cohort), were interviewed in 2008 for wave 1. Participating children are visited each year. Information is collected on parental smoking habits and methods of quitting.
Initially interviews were conducted with a parent or primary carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, usually the mother. In addition over 265 interviews were conducted with fathers or other significant carers. To date more than 1,200 of the original 1,680 families have participated in subsequent interviews. These interviews have formed the basis for the annually released LSIC key summary reports. http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about-fahcsia/publications-articles/research-publications/longitudinal-data-initiatives/footprints-in-time-the-longitudinal-study-of-indigenous-children-lsic
Frequency: Annual
Commenced: April 2008
Most recent: 2013 (Wave 4)
Sample size at wave 1: >1,680
Strengths: A comprehensive longitudinal study on Indigenous youth and children.
Limitations: Retention could be improved. Top of Page
34. Growing up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)
Data Custodian: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)Available for analysis: Yes, general release can be accessed by all. In-confidence data is available for FaHCSIA staff and can only be accessed by those who show a genuine need for it. Both datasets are accessed using the application form.
Purpose: A long-term research project following a large group of children and their families over the years as they grow and learn. There are currently two cohorts of children. When the study began in 2004, they were 3-19 months and 4-5 years old respectively. The participants are the study child, and his/her parents, child care providers and teachers. Parental smoking is reported. At each main wave, age appropriate developmental outcomes are measured including: children’s health, physical development, emotional wellbeing and intellectual and social development. http://www.growingupinaustralia.gov.au/
Frequency: Every two years
Commenced: March 2003
Most recent: March 2012
Sample size at wave 1: Approximately 10,000
Strengths: A large, population-based sample, with repeated health and mental health measurements on the same scale reported by both parents and teachers.
Limitations: Some underrepresentation of families from disadvantaged backgrounds. Data were more often missing in socioeconomically disadvantaged families which may have affected prevalence estimates.
Publication: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm2012/fm91/fm91a.pdf
35. Busselton Health Study
Data Custodian: University of Western Australia (UWA)Available for analysis: Investigators may apply for access
Purpose: The adult residents of the town of Busselton, in the south-west of Western Australia, have been involved in a series of cross-sectional health surveys since 1966. To date, over 20,000 men, women and children of all ages have taken part in the surveys. The data provides important information on common diseases and their relationships to risk factors, lifestyle and environmental variables. Several research projects have been conducted within the Busselton Health Study.http://www.busseltonhealthstudy.com/
Frequency: Every three years from 1966 to 1981 then intermittent
Commenced: 1966
Most recent: 2013
Sample size at wave 1: 3,539
Strengths: Regarded as one of the longest running epidemiological research programs in the world.
Limitations: Because data are not available for non-responders in the survey, the sample cannot be definitively stated as representative of the Busselton population. However, there are no indications that responders differed from non-responders, demographically or otherwise.
Publications: At least 20 articles have been published on smoking: http://www.busseltonhealthstudy.com/publications.html
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36. The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study
Data Custodian: Raines Study Executive Committee, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (TICHR), University of Western Australia (UWA)Available for analysis: Subject to research project application approval. Expressions of interest form.
Purpose: Initially, 2,900 mothers were followed through pregnancy and child birth, and 2,868 offspring were recruited for long term follow-up to study the origins of health and disease. National and international collaborations with the Raine Study are continuing to develop and add value to the cohort and expand research opportunities. http://www.childhealthresearch.org.au/our-research/projects-index/r/raine-study-(overview).aspx
Frequency: Repeated when the survey sample was aged 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18 and 21
Commenced: 1989
Most recent: 2011
Sample size at wave 1: 2,900 women in early pregnancy and 2,868 offspring were followed up during childhood and adolescence.
Strengths: Considered to be one of the largest successful prospective cohorts of pregnancy, childhood and adolescence in the world.
Limitations: Participants were generally representative of the West Australian population but included a slightly higher proportion from higher income groups.
Publications: A number of publications reporting on smoking related issues have been produced from this study: http://www.rainestudy.org.au/research/resource/publications
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37. 2000 Stories Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study
Data Custodian: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)Available for analysis: Contact Australian Social Science Data Archives. There are also several publications mostly free to access on PubMed.
Purpose: In 1992, 1,943 Year 9 students (14-15 years of age) were selected to participate in this study. Participants completed 6 interviews at school age (from Years 9 – 12), and 3 interviews in young adulthood (aged around 21, 24 and 29 years). Over 75% of the original cohort participated in the most recent completed round of interviews in 2007-09. This study is currently undertaking its tenth round of interviews as the participants reach the age of 35 years. 2000 Stories is aimed at improving understanding of adults and how adolescent experiences, health and lifestyles may affect physical and emotional health in adulthood. It includes tracking the smoking habits of the participants over time.http://www.mcri.edu.au/research/research-projects/2000stories.aspx
Frequency: Every 6 months
Commenced: 1992
Most recent: 2013
Sample size at wave 1: Approximately 2,000
Strengths: Nearly representative sample, high rates of participation and frequent measures during participants' teenage years and 20-years of follow-up.
Limitations: Surveys were self-administered via laptops during the adolescent waves, whilst a telephone interview strategy was used in the adult waves. Prevalence estimates may vary slightly as a result, however, it is unlikely to have caused a systematic bias in patterns of association. Top of Page
38. International Youth Development Study (IYDS)
Data Custodian: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)Available for analysis: Requests to access data to investigators via the project manager
Purpose: This is a long-term study that looks at the development of healthy and problem behaviours among young people in Victoria, Australia and the state of Washington, United States. IYDS is one of the first studies designed to examine whether or not differences in Australian and American cultures and schools affect youth development. The original sample included approximately 1,000 students at each of three year levels i.e., fifth, seventh and ninth grade, in both Victoria and Washington, providing a sample of approximately 6,000 participants. The study continues to follow-up participants into young adulthood. In 2012 (8th wave of data collection), 83% of the original Victorian sample participated. The study intends to follow-up participants from both Victorian and Washington cohorts in 2014. Participants are asked about their lifetime and tobacco use.http://www.mcri.edu.au/research/research-projects/international-youth-development-study/
Frequency:
Annual (2002-2008)
Biannual (2010 & 2012) – Victorian cohorts
2014 – Washington & Victorian cohorts
Commenced: 2002
Most recent: 2013
Sample size at wave 1: Approximately 6,000
Strengths: IYDS is a relatively long running study with school-aged participants. Excellent retention rates. Able to cross-nationally compare the policy environment and its effect on adolescent and young adult substance use.
Limitations: A relatively small sample. Future studies should include a measure of self-reported smoking on the school grounds as well as the peer use measure currently used. Top of Page
39. Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey
Data Custodian: The Melbourne InstituteAvailable for analysis: Academic and other researchers can apply to use the General Release datasets for their research
Purpose: The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, a household-based panel study which began in 2001, aims to collect longitudinal data on household composition, employment, income and wealth, and health and wellbeing. The panel members are followed over time. The funding has been guaranteed for sixteen waves, though the survey is designed to continue beyond that.
Smoking data is collected as part of a self-completion questionnaire which is completed by a subset of interviewed respondents (about 90% of all respondents complete this). The key data collected are: (i) current smoking status; and (ii) if a smoker, how many cigarettes smoked per week. Data on individual tobacco expenditure was only collected in wave 1. Since wave 5 (2005) HILDA has been collecting data every year on weekly tobacco expenditure, but only at a household level. In wave 7 (2007) questions were also asked (as part of the interview) about the smoking history of respondents.
http://www.melbourneinstitute.com/hilda/
Frequency: Annual
Commenced: 2001
Most recent: 2012
Sample size (year):
17,611 (2011) 13,526 (2010)
13,301 (2009) 12,785 (2008)
12,789 (2007) 12,905 (2006)
12,759 (2005) 12,408 (2004)
12,728 (2003) 13,041 (2002)
13,969 (2001)
Strengths: Longitudinal survey that collects data on a wide range of variables including the quantity and frequency of substance use. A very useable dataset.
Limitations: One group underrepresented is migrants, although this survey includes other population sub-groups. In 2011 a new top up sample was added (n=4009) to help deal with under-representation of new migrants. Top of Page
40. Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH)
Data Custodian: Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle
Available for analysis: Yes
Purpose: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) is a longitudinal survey of over 40,000 women in three cohorts aged 18-23, 45-50 and 70-75 when surveys began in 1996. A new cohort of at least 10,000 young women aged 18-23 will be recruited in 2012 and 2013. ALSWH assesses women’s physical and mental health, as well as psychosocial aspects of health (such as socio-demographic and lifestyle factors) and their use of health services. It includes questions about their smoking prevalence rates. http://www.alswh.org.au/
Frequency: Triennial
Commenced: 1996
Most recent: 2013
Sample size at wave 1: >40,000
Strengths: Large nationally representative sample derived from Medicare records. Fifteen years of data. High retention rate.
Limitations: Survey is tailored to age cohorts (some questions were not asked of all cohorts). Top of Page
41. Ten to Men
Data Custodian: Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, run by University of Melbourne, School of Population HealthAvailable for analysis: No, wave 1 data collection currently in progress
Purpose: In 2010, the Australian Government released the National Male Health Policy to address the special health needs of Australian males. As part of that policy the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (Ten To Men) was commissioned. Ten To Men is a new longitudinal study of Australian men and boys between 10 and 55 years. It is aimed at identifying factors that contribute to poorer health outcomes in Australian males in general and in particular sub-groups of men and boys. The study aims to generate information that can inform government policy and program development in male health.
There are four different questionnaires: boys (10 to 14 years), parents of boys, adolescents (15 to 17 years), and adult males (18 to 55 years). Questions about risk and protective factors cover a range of social and environmental determinants of male and a range of individual level health behaviours including diet, exercise, smoking, consumption of alcohol and other drugs.http://www.tentomen.org.au/index.php/The-Study/the-study.html
Frequency: Biennial
Commenced: 2010
Most recent: 2013 – in progress
Sample size at wave 1: Approximately 432,000
Strengths: A large longitudinal study, the first to focus exclusively on male health and wellbeing.
Limitations: It does not include sub-groups such as Aboriginal males, men with intellectual disabilities, veterans and males in the criminal justice system. Top of Page
42. Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab)
Data Custodian: Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes InstituteAvailable for analysis: Apply in writing to Baker IDI, data available to researchers for a fee
Purpose: Australian longitudinal population-based study examining the natural history of diabetes, pre-diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. The field survey measures physical and cognitive ability, smoking status and blood samples. A cohort study.
http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/ausdiab/
Frequency: 1999/2000; 2004/2005; 2011/2012
Commenced: 1999
Most recent: 2012
Sample size (year): 6,186 (2011/12) 8,798 (2004/05) 11,247 (1999/00)
Strengths: Population-based sample from 42 randomly selected districts throughout Australia. Followed the same participants for 13 years.
42.9 Limitations: Possibility of selection biases, as only 56.7 per cent of participants without diabetes at baseline attended follow-up. Limited sample size.
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