Approved for use
in concept through 3/98 under the following conditions: 1) OMB and
other reviewers were unable to evaluate the entire survey effort
because several components of the study were not included in the
PRA submission. For example, DoD must submit the draft cover letter
encouraging Seabee partici- pation, the reinterview survey and
follow-up phone contact surveys, more detail justifying DoD's
attrition estimate for outyears,and an explanation of how the Phase
I sample was designed to compensate for such attrition. OMB will
review these materials and may request changes to these materials
before they are fielded; 2) DoD must achieve a response rate of 80%
for this survey effort.DoD must submit to OMB an enhanced plan for
achiev- ing this response rate for those respondents that are "in
scope" for this survey effort. To accomplish an 80% rate, DoD may
need to make this effort a telephone rather than mail survey; 3)
OMB particularly is interested in how this Seabee survey effort was
designed to allow for comparisons to the VA National Prevalence
Survey. DoD must justify to OMB why the reference periods and lists
of symptoms, medical conditions, and exposures differ on this
survey from the VA National Survey. Based on this analysis, OMB may
request revisions to the survey instrument; 4) OMB questions
whether the responses to question 52 will have validity. Do
individuals successfully diagnose " food poisoning?" DoD should
justify this question; 5) DoD must add a general health status
question similar to question 7 in the VA National Prevalence
Survey; and 6) DoD must respond in writing to the CDC's remarks on
this effort (some overlap with OMB's concerns) and adopt CDC's
recommendations where appropriate. Prior to fielding this effort,
OMB must review DoD's additional analyses and provide final
approval of the amended instruments and sampling methodology.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/1999
11/30/1999
11,000
0
0
6,800
0
0
0
0
0
Since returning from the Persian Gulf
War, some veterans have complained of unusual symptoms. The DoD
needs questionnaire data from Gulf War veterans of the same era to
investigate these complaints. This study will focus upon a
population of U.S. Navy Seabees, some of whom have left military
service.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Epidemiologic Studies of Morbidity Among Gulf War Veterans: A Search for Etiologic Agents and Risk Factors, Seabee Health Study (Study 5)