Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)

 

Purpose of the Program

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a statewide, ongoing, population-based survey that collects information on women who give birth in Georgia. GA PRAMS began in January 1993 and it supplements birth certificate data by collecting information on women's attitudes, experiences, and behaviors before, during, and after they deliver a live born infant.

The goal of Georgia PRAMS is improve the health of mothers and babies in Georgia by reducing the risk of adverse birth outcome such as low birthweight, preterm birth, and infant or maternal morbidity and mortality. Georgia PRAMS provides essential data allowing for the identification of high risk groups, selection of maternal and child health priorities, establishment of prevention programs, and policy changes that can improve the health of mothers and babies in Georgia.

What is a PRAMS Questionnaire?

Women who are eligible to participate in the PRAMS questionnaire are selected from Georgia’s birth certificates.  Each month, a random sample of approximately 100-200 women is chosen to participate.  Women are contacted by mail or telephone within 2-6 months after delivery.  Mothers are sent a PRAMS questionnaire that consists of about 80 questions, along with an introductory letter, a question and answer brochure about PRAMS, a calendar, a consent letter, and a resource brochure that includes telephone numbers for various Georgia programs. The PRAMS questionnaire consists of two parts. First, there are core questions that are asked by all participating PRAMS states and include questions about the following:

• Infant health care
• Contraceptive use
• Pregnancy-related morbidity
• Content and source of prenatal care
• Maternal alcohol and tobacco consumption
• Physical abuse before and during pregnancy
• Attitudes and feelings about the most recent pregnancy\
• Mother's knowledge of pregnancy-related health issues, such as adverse effects of tobacco and alcohol; benefits of folic acid; and risks of HIV

The remaining questions on the survey are chosen from a pretested list of standard questions developed by CDC or are developed by states on their own.  Georgia PRAMS includes expanded questions on prenatal care visits, breastfeeding, HIV testing and influenza vaccination during pregnancy, postpartum depression, and infant safe sleep.

How can PRAMS data be used?

PRAMS provides data not available from other sources. These data can be used to identify groups of women and infants at high risk for health problems, to monitor changes in health status, and to measure progress towards goals in improving the health of mothers and babies.  

PRAMS data are used by researchers to investigate emerging issues in the field of maternal and child health.  Additionally, PRAMS aids in planning and reviewing programs and policies aimed at reducing health problems among mothers and babies in Georgia.

GA PRAMS Documents:

• Intro Letter - English
• Intro Letter  - Spanish
• Informed Consent - English
• Informed Consent - Spanish
• FAQs
• Resources

Current Questionnaire:

Phase 8 (2016 - Current)

• Phase 8 - English
• Phase 8 - Spanish

Previous Questionnaires:

• Phase 7 - English
• Phase 7 - Spanish

• Phase 6 - English
• Phase 6 - Spanish

• Phase 5 - English
• Phase 5 - Spanish

 

GA PRAMS Data Request

How can PRAMS data be requested?

For assistance requesting Georgia PRAMS data, please contact PRAMS Coordinator, Florence Kanu at DPH-GeorgiaPRAMS@dph.ga.gov. 

• Data Request Form
• Data Sharing Agreement
• Analysis Tips
• Data-to-Action Success Story (Example)
• Data-to-Action Success Story (Template)

 

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Page last updated 7/7/2017