Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (formerly known as the ONS Opinions Survey or Omnibus) is an omnibus survey that began in 1990, collecting data on a range of subjects commissioned by both the ONS internally and external clients (limited to other government departments, charities, non-profit organisations and academia).Data are collected from one individual aged 16 or over, selected from each sampled private household. Personal data include data on the individual, their family, address, household, income and education, plus responses and opinions on a variety of subjects within commissioned modules. The questionnaire collects timely data for research and policy analysis evaluation on the social impacts of recent topics of national importance, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the cost of living, on individuals and households in Great Britain. From April 2018 to November 2019, the design of the OPN changed from face-to-face to a mixed-mode design (online first with telephone interviewing where necessary). Mixed-mode collection allows respondents to complete the survey more flexibly and provides a more cost-effective service for customers. In March 2020, the OPN was adapted to become a weekly survey used to collect data on the social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the lives of people of Great Britain. These data are held in the Secure Access study, SN 8635, ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey, Covid-19 Module, 2020-2022: Secure Access. From August 2021, as coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions were lifting across Great Britain, the OPN moved to fortnightly data collection, sampling around 5,000 households in each survey wave to ensure the survey remains sustainable. The OPN has since expanded to include questions on other topics of national importance, such as health and the cost of living. For more information about the survey and its methodology, see the ONS OPN Quality and Methodology Information webpage.Secure Access Opinions and Lifestyle Survey dataOther Secure Access OPN data cover modules run at various points from 1997-2019, on Census religion (SN 8078), cervical cancer screening (SN 8080), contact after separation (SN 8089), contraception (SN 8095), disability (SNs 8680 and 8096), general lifestyle (SN 8092), illness and activity (SN 8094), and non-resident parental contact (SN 8093). See Opinions and Lifestyle Survey: Secure Access for details.
Main Topics:Each month's questionnaire consists of two elements: core questions, covering demographic information, are asked each month together with non-core questions that vary from month to month.
The non-core questions for this month were: Fire Safety (Module 33): this module asks about fire safety and is asked in connection with Fire Safety Week. Questions assess awareness of fire risks and fire safety measures the respondent has taken. GP Accidents (Module 78n): this module asked about accidents the respondent had had where help was sought that could have involved a doctor e.g. doctor's surgery, hospital. Contraception (Module 106): this module asks about contraceptive methods used presently and previously and about awareness of various contraceptive methods e.g. post-coital methods. Hearing and TV Subtitles (Module 115): this module is asked only of those respondents who either say they have hearing difficulties or who say they have difficulty hearing the TV when the volume is normal. This module is asked of a maximum of two household members who fit the criteria. The module asks about the use of and opinions about tv subtitles. Drink Awareness (Module 143): this module asks about drinking habits and attitudes and knowledge about drinking guidelines. Sun Know How Campaign (Module 151): this module aims to monitor public awareness of a recent HEA Sun Know How Campaign and the impact it made on the public. The campaign was run to raise awareness of the risk of skin cancer from sunbathing etc. Delay in Moving (Module 152): this module is asked only of those respondents who currently own their home outright or are buying it with the help of a mortgage. It aims to assess the frequency with which a delay of at least a month occurs between completion and the householders moving into the new property. Attitudes to AIDS and HIV (Module 153): this module aims to find out about people's awareness of AIDS, the risks leading to AIDS and their perception of the disease.
Multi-stage stratified random sample
Face-to-face interview
