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PRAMS Data Collection
Methodology
PRAMS uses a
standardized data collection methodology
developed by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Each state
conducting PRAMS uses the same
methodology, but can adapt the
procedures to meet the needs of the
state.
Survey Data Collection
Women selected to
participate in PRAMS are mailed a letter
describing PRAMS and its purpose
followed by a written questionnaire
packet. The questionnaire packet
includes a letter encouraging the mother
to respond and informs her that she will
have a chance of winning
one of two $50 gift certificates if she responds
within four weeks. (Two
winners are selected from about 120
women who return the
completed survey for each batch).
A reminder letter is
sent 10 days after the initial
packet to encourage mothers to respond
or to thank mothers who have responded.
If needed, a second packet is mailed to
the sampled mothers who have not
responded 14 days after the
reminder letter. Telephone follow-up is
begun if mothers have not responded
14 days after the second questionnaire
packet. All written materials are
available in Spanish and English.
Spanish materials are sent along with
English materials to mothers identified
as Hispanic on the birth certificate. Telephone interviews are also conducted
in Spanish and English.
Questionnaires
The PRAMS written
questionnaire is 14 pages long and
estimated to take about 20 minutes to
complete. It covers several priority
topics, including:
-
Birth control
and pregnancy intention
-
Availability
and quality of prenatal care
-
Maternal
health
-
Patterns of
smoking and alcohol use
-
WIC
participation
-
Breastfeeding
-
Infant health
and care
-
Physical abuse
-
Folic acid use
-
Education by
health care provider
-
Safety
-
Stress and
social support
Periodically, the
PRAMS questionnaire has been modified to
reflect changes in state and federal
priorities. The 2000-2003 data in the
PRAMS Web Query come from responses to
the Phase 4 version of the PRAMS
questionnaire. This questionnaire may
be viewed at
PRAMS Survey.
The Phase 5 version of the
PRAMS questionnaire began with the
January 2004 births and will be used
through December 2007.
For more detailed
description of the PRAMS methodology,
click here
http://www.cdc.gov/prams/methodology.htm.
Limitations
PRAMS data are
self-reported by new mothers and may be
subject to potential sources of error.
Women may not recall events prior to or
during the early part of their
pregnancies. In addition, they may be
hesitant to report on behaviors
perceived to be unhealthy. We do not
know the extent to which such errors may
be occurring in these data.
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