. 2023 Sep 20;7(1):622–630. doi: 10.1089/heq.2023.0062

Table 2.

Student Health Survey Questions Versus Community-Led Questions About School Absenteeism

SHS	Community-led data collection
During the past 12 months, how many days of school did you miss – for any reasons? because of physical health reasons? because of emotional or mental health reasons? How many days of school did you have unexcused absences (meaning you skipped or cut school)? Did you miss one or more hours of school due to any of the following reasons? I had a toothache or painful tooth; My mouth was hurting; I had to go to the dentist because of tooth or mouth pain; I had to go to the hospital emergency room because of tooth or mouth pain; I had a mouth injury from playing sports	What is causing you to miss school? (open ended) Do you have problems at home/outside of school? Are you doing ok? After each question add a “why” follow-up What is elevated above school? Why does it come up? Do you have other things to do other than school? What are things affecting you outside of school that keep you from being successful? In what ways does school feel unsafe to you? Is someone making fun of you or are there stressful conditions you want to avoid at school like students or teachers? What would make school a safer environment? What at schools feels welcoming/accepting? What does not?

SHS

Community-led data collection

During the past 12 months,
how many days of school did you miss –
for any reasons?
because of physical health reasons?
because of emotional or mental health reasons?
How many days of school did you have unexcused absences (meaning you skipped or cut school)?
Did you miss one or more hours of school due to any of the following reasons?
I had a toothache or painful tooth;
My mouth was hurting;
I had to go to the dentist because of tooth or mouth pain;
I had to go to the hospital emergency room because of tooth or mouth pain;
I had a mouth injury from playing sports

What is causing you to miss school? (open ended)
Do you have problems at home/outside of school?
Are you doing ok?
After each question add a “why” follow-up
What is elevated above school? Why
does it come up?
Do you have other things to do other
than school?
What are things affecting you outside of school that keep you from being successful?
In what ways does school feel unsafe
to you?
Is someone making fun of you or are there stressful conditions you want to avoid at school like students or teachers?
What would make school a safer environment?
What at schools feels welcoming/accepting? What does not?

SHS, Student Health Survey.