Table 1 Progressive introduction of certain variables, which make it possible to conduct gender perspective analyses, into the Spanish national health surveys (ENS), 1993 to 2005–6
ENS 93ENS 95ENS 97ENS 01ENS 03ENS 05–6
Demographic and occupational
De facto marital statusXXXXXX
Living with a partnerXXX
Social classX∗X∗X∗X#X#X#
Educational levelXXXXXX
Job statusXXXXXX
Productive work (paid)X
    OccupationXXXXXX
    PositionXXX
    Type of firm in which you work or worked∗∗XXX
    Activity of the firm where you work or workedXXX
    Type of contract
    Full time or part timeXXX
    Number of hours worked per week
Reproductive work (unpaid)
    Family structure (cohabitation)†XXXX
    Domestic work‡XXX
        Performance of domestic workXXX
        Sharing of domestic workXX
    Care of dependent people§XX – childrenX
        Sharing of care of dependantsXXX
    Availability of outside help (family or contracted) to carry out domestic and caring workXXX
    Number of hours of reproductive workX
Morbidity, perceived health, quality of life and mental health
Perceived health statusXXXXXX
Mental health and quality of lifeSF-12
Chronic conditions¶XXXXXX
Number of hours of sleep per dayXXXXXX
Social support (existence and type of social network)
Network structure (size, density)
Functional social support (affective and confidential)XXX

  • ∗In 1993, 1995 and 1997 a variable called social status was created: well off; medium-high; medium-medium; medium-low; low. Obtained by crossing level of education completed (illiterate; finished school aged 14–15 years; finished school aged 16–19 years; additional non-university studies; university studies; unknown) with occupation of the head of the household (self employed; public or private sector employee; other)

  • #In 2001, 2003 and 2005–6 social class was obtained through self occupation.

  • ∗∗Public administration; public or private organisation, non-profit organisation or domestic service.

  • †Age, sex, relationship of cohabiting individuals.

  • ‡Do the shopping, prepare meals, cleaning, ironing, etc.

  • §Children, elderly, disabled.

  • ¶List of the most prevalent conditions or disablements (table 2).