The Oslo Health Study (HUBRO)
Article
|Updated
The Oslo Health Study (HUBRO) was conducted in the City of Oslo from May 2000 to September 2001. The study consisted of an adult part and a youth part including all 15- and 16-year olds in Oslo. More than 18,000 individuals participated in the adult part of HUBRO (46 % of all invited). The aim of the study was to gain a comprehensive overview of the health status of Oslo residents and use the material for research.
Who was invited to participate in this study?
All men and women residing in Oslo in December 1999, from nine different age groups were invited. This included persons born in 1924, 1925, 1940, 1941, 1955, 1960, 1970, 1984 and 1985.
A total of 67,000 individuals including the youth cohorts received an invitation.
The Oslo Health Study provided information in 11 languages: Albanian, Arabic, English, Farsi, Serbo-Croatian, Somalian, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese. The invitation brochure, consent form, main questionnaire and one of the additional questionnaires were translated into these 11 languages. The other questionnaires were translated only into English, except the main questionnaire for those who were 75-76 years old.
Participation
- Youths: 7,343 adolescents took part in the youth part of the study, 88 per cent of those invited
- Adults: 18,770 adults took part in HUBRO, 46 per cent of those invited
- Among adults born in Norway, 47 per cent took part
- Among immigrants (adults) from non-western countries 39 per cent took part
- 42 per cent of men and 49 per cent of women took part
Currently, about 90 supplementary projects are included in the Oslo Health Study. While some projects include all the participants in the health survey, other projects include only selected groups.
Questionnaires
The main investigative tool for the study is the different categories of questionnaires. There are 2 main questionnaires, one for those in the 30, 40, 45, and 59-60 age group and one for those aged 75-76 years. There are also supplementary questionnaires for all age groups.
Under related documents you find all the questionnaires in English except the main questionnaire for the elderly which is not translated.
The adolescent part of the Oslo Health Study
- The adolescent part of HUBRO Material and Methods
- Main questionnaire - adolescent HUBRO (pdf)
- Supplementary questionnaire - adolescent HUBRO (pdf)
How was the study conducted?
The 15-16 year olds completed two questionnaires during school hours. No physical examination was performed.
The remaining age groups were invited to participate in the study through a postal invitation including a standard main questionnaire. It was expected that they filled this out before attending the physical examination. This examination was conducted at a central screening station in the city and included height, weight and waist measurements in addition to blood pressure and pulse recordings. Blood samples were also collected and analysed for lipids, blood sugar, hormones, liver- and kidney functions. Some of the participants had their bone density measured.
About the questionnaires
The young cohort (UNGHUBRO)
Main questionnaire 4 pages – (violet in the fields of the headings) - marked U
Supplementary questionnaire 4 pages – (orange in the fields of the headings) - marked U/T
Both the questionnaires were filled in during two school hours.
The adult cohorts
Main questionnaire – (blue in the fields of the headings) – 3 pages in addition to the first page with an individual invitation to the screening. Sent to those who turned 30, 40, 45, 59/60 years in 2000 in Oslo). (The additional cohorts turning 31 and 46 years old in 2000 also received this questionnaire).
Main questionnaire (old age questionnaire) – (green in the fields of the headings) – marked E) – 3 pages in addition to the first page with an individual invitation to the screening. Sent to those who turned 75/76 years old in 2000.
First supplementary questionnaire – (military green in the fields of the headings - marked T1, T2 osv) - 4 pages. Handed out to all adults attending the screening. (The additional cohorts turning 31 and 46 years old in 2000 received this questionnaire).
Second supplementary questionnaire – four different versions marked I-IV containing questionnaires connected to the supplementary projects:
I – handed out to all individuals 30 and 45 years old attending the screening – (light green in the fields of the headings) – 6 pages. (The additional cohorts turning 31 and 46 years old in 2000 received this questionnaire).
II – handed out to all individuals 40 years old attending the screening – (light blue in the fields of the headings) – 6 pages.
III – handed out to all individuals 59/60 years old attending the screening – (light brown in the fields of the headings) – 6 pages.
IV – handed out to all individuals 75/76 years old attending the screening – (light red in the fields of the headings) – 4 pages.
The supplementary questionnaires were filled in at home and returned by mail in a pre-stamped envelope.