SS Part B

Part B.

1. Describe the potential respondent universe and any sampling or other respondent selection methods to be used.

The potential respondent universe of the NAHRS is the State veterinarian¹ in each of the 50 States. Based on past participation, 48 States regularly participate, and of those that do participate 100 percent of the 48 respond every month. Therefore, APHIS expects 48 States to respond each month.

2. Describe the procedures for the collection of information including:

0. Statistical methodology for stratification and sample selection:

Each State is selected with a probability of one (1). One report is provided from each participating State on the 20^th of each month. If a response is not received by the 30th of the month, the NAHRS coordinator sends a reminder to the State veterinarian.

0. Estimation Procedure:

Estimation procedures to make inferences to a larger population are not used. Overall sample level calculations are performed. These include counts, percents, ratios, and simple averages. Measures of change are limited to comparable records.

0. Degree of Accuracy Needed:

The NAHRS only reports sample level statistics and no projections to the U.S. population are made. NAHRS is a qualitative report so a quantitative standard error is not possible.

0. Unusual problems requiring specialized sampling procedures and data collection cycles:

Past efforts to collect data on animal health, productivity, and profitability have revealed that recall bias is very important. The original data collection cycle was set to be quarterly, however States decided monthly collection cycles would ease burden and allow for more accurate reports. Therefore, monthly data collection cycles are most desirable.

3. Describe methods to maximize response rates and to deal with issues of non-response:

Maximizing Response Rates:

• Collection of data will be minimized to that which is absolutely necessary.

0. Respondents are offered the option of acquiring and submitting forms electronically via the World Wide Web.

0. States are reminded monthly of NAHRS reports if there is no response received by the 30th of the month.

0. There are several benefits to participating States which include:

▪ Improved and expanded animal disease reporting infrastructure;

▪ Access to NAHRS Online Reporting System which contains cumulative State reports (for their own State) and a cumulative National report (no identification of individual States), access to all their own individual State reports;

▪ Demonstrated State-Federal disease surveillance and reporting relationship which in the long run helps to protect international trade benefiting agriculture in the States.

Dealing with Non-Response:

• State reporting status is reviewed monthly by the NAHRS coordinator using the NAHRS Online Reporting Application.

• States that have not participated are sent a reminder email from the NAHRS coordinator.

• At the end of the calendar year, each State’s contact person is sent a letter indicating the months that NAHRS reports were missed.

4. Describe any tests of procedures or methods to be undertaken.

The NAHRS methods were pre-tested on less than 10 respondents. Results of the pretests were used to refine the information collection in order to reduce respondent burden and improve the usefulness of the information.

5. Provide the name and telephone number of individuals consulted on statistical aspects of the design and the name of the agency unit, contact(s), grantee(s), or other person(s) who will actually collect and /or analyze the information for the agency.

The statistical aspects of the design were coordinated by Dr. Marta Remmenga, Statistician, with the APHIS staff in Fort Collins, Colorado, at (970) 494-7359.

Contact persons for data collection are:

A. USDA:

- Dr. Stanley Bruntz, VMO-Epidemiologist, National Surveillance Unit, Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO (970) 494-7246.

B. Federal Veterinarians:

- Dr. John Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Veterinary Services,

USDA - APHIS, Washington, DC (202) 447-6835.

Analysis of the data will be accomplished by NSU veterinarians, epidemiologists, agricultural economists and statisticians under the direction of Dr. Aaron Scott,

Leader, National Surveillance Unit, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117, telephone (970) 494-7249, fax (970) 494-7174.

References:

United States Animal Health Association. Report of the Committee on Animal Health Information Systems. October, 2000.

Office International des Epizooties. “OIE Classification: Diseases Notifiable to the OIE.

http://www.oie.int/eng/maladies/en_classification.htm

NAHRS Web Site: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahrs

1 The State veterinarian is responsible for reporting on the presence/absence of disease. Depending on workloads, the State veterinarian may delegate this responsibility to the assistant State veterinarian, lab director, or other individual to complete and return the NAHRS report to the coordinator.

3 2/3/2021