Canadian Sexual and Reproductive Health Survey (CSRHS)

Detailed information for 2024 to 2025

Status:

Active

Frequency:

One Time

Record number:

5408

The purpose of the Canadian Sexual Health and Reproductive Survey (CSRHS) is to better understand issues that impact the sexual and reproductive health of women aged 18 to 49 in Canada.

Description

Topics include menstruation, sexual health and behaviours, birth control, pregnancy intentions, as well as access and barriers to care for miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy and abortion. The survey also collects information about access to a regular health care provider, as well as gynaecological surgeries and procedures.

Results from the survey will be used by researchers, all levels of government and other organizations to assess and inform equitable program and policy development to better support women's sexual and reproductive health.

Reference period: Varies according to the question (for example: "in the past 12 months" or "in the past 5 years")

Collection period: October 15, 2024 to February 2, 2025

Subjects

  • Health
  • Health care services
  • Lifestyle and social conditions
  • Pregnancy and births

Data sources and methodology

Target population

The target population for the CSRHS is all persons whose sex at birth is female who are 18 to 49 years of age (as of October 15, 2024) and living in private residences in the ten provinces of Canada. Excluded are people living in dwellings located on reserves and people living in collective dwellings, such as institutions.

Instrument design

The content for the CSRHS electronic questionnaire was developed in consultation with experts in the field of sexual and reproductive health.

The questionnaire underwent cognitive testing through in-depth interviews in both of Canada's official languages, conducted by Statistics Canada's Questionnaire Design Resource Centre.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a stratified, cross-sectional design.

Frame:
The frame for the CSRHS is the 2021 Census with the addition of permanent and non-permanent residents from the 2022 Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB).

Sampling unit:
The individual is the sampling unit.

Stratification method:
The frame was stratified by age group (18 to 29, 30 to 39 and 40 to 49), province and frame source, and a simple random sample was selected independently within each stratum.

Sampling and sub-sampling:
A sample of 35,000 people was selected probabilistically according to the stratified design. The allocation of sample was done to aim for equal precision in each province by age group domain. These domains were split into strata by frame source prior to sample selection for operational reasons. The portions of the frame originating from the two sources do not overlap; only permanent and non-permanent residents on the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB) who arrived in Canada after May 2021 were eligible for selection from that portion of the frame.

Data sources

Data collection for this reference period: October 15, 2024 to February 2, 2025

Responding to this survey is voluntary.

Data are extracted from administrative files.

Data are collected from survey respondents either through an electronic questionnaire (EQ) directly online or assisted by a Statistics Canada interviewer through CATI (computer assisted telephone interview). A letter is mailed to the selected person, which contains a code that gives access to the online questionnaire.

A Statistics Canada interviewer may follow up by calling, emailing, or texting the respondent if a completed online questionnaire is not received within a certain period of time.

Proxy reporting (when a selected respondent is unable to answer for themselves) is not allowed.

The questionnaire is available in both official languages and can be completed by interview in either English or French.

The information collected during the CSRHS will be linked to the personal tax records (T1, T1FF or T4) of respondents, and tax records of all household members. Household information (address, postal code, and telephone number), respondent's information (social insurance number, surname, name, date of birth/age, sex) and information on other members of the household (surname, name, age, sex and relationship to respondent) are key variables for the linkage.

Respondents are notified of the planned linkage before and during the survey. Any respondents who object to the linkage of their data have their objections recorded, and no linkage to their tax data takes place. Personal income information obtained from income tax records will also be provided to provincial share partners only with respondent consent.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .

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