Table 3.

Should consent be requested for data linkage?

1. Linking teenage pregnancy and state benefits		2. Linking birthweight and future health outcomes
No consent required n = 9 (4f, 5 m)	Request consent n = 34 (20f, 14 m)	No consent required n = 11 (5f, 6 m)	Request consent n = 36 (20f, 16 m)
Unclear/unsure n = 11 (6f, 5 m)	Study should not take place n = 1 (1f)	Unclear/unsure n = 8 (6f, 2 m)
3. Linking mental health and criminal records		4. Linking asthma and postcodes
No consent required n = 20 (9f, 11 m)	Request consent n = 20 (15f, 5 m)	No consent required n = 14 (8f, 6 m)	Request consent n = 26 (16f, 10 m)
Unclear/unsure n = 15 (7f, 8 m)		Unclear/unsure n = 15 (7f, 8 m)

f = female, m = male; total participants = 55

Bold data are the subheadings