The Global School-Based Health Survey was designed to provide accurate data on health behaviors and protective factors among students, including dietary behaviors, hygiene, physical activity, drug and alcohol use, and violence and unintentional injury. It is often used to help countries develop priorities, establish programs, and advocate for resources for school health programs, policies, and youth health.

In Guyana, a two-stage cluster sample design was used to create a representative sample of students in grades 8, 9, 10, and freshmen. The school response rate was 96%, while the student response rate was 87%, with a total of 2,669 students participating in the survey.