PRAMS Field Testing Methodology

Attachment 15a – PRAMS Field Testing Methodology

Form Approved

OMB No. 0920-1273

Exp. Date xx/xx/xxxx

PRAMS Field Testing Methodology

Justification

Prior to field testing, cognitive testing or interviews for newly developed questions for emerging supplements, call back surveys, the core questionnaire and standard modules are first conducted to ensure reading comprehension and detect response errors. Survey questions may be refined based on cognitive testing findings. To identify issues that may affect implementation of the questionnaire, PRAMS conducts field-testing of these questions. We will ask a convenience sample of new mothers to review and answer the field-testing questionnaire in order to assess clarity of instructions, appropriateness of response options, and overall quality of the question in terms of capturing the desired information.

Summary of PRAMS Field Testing Activity

CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) project collects information on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during and after pregnancy by sending a survey to mothers who recently gave birth to a live infant, or by interviewing them by phone.

To field test the new and modified questions that have completed cognitive testing, mothers aged 18 or older with infants who are 1 year old or less are recruited to answer a short survey and provide us with their feedback on the quality of our questions. We obtain the permission from the directors of relevant health department clinics and pediatrician’s offices to recruit women in their office waiting rooms to complete the survey.

Interview staff approach women who are waiting for appointments in the clinic setting and ask if they would consider participating in the study. If they are open to participating, the recruiter asks two screener questions (Attachment 15b) to determine eligibility. If the mothers agree to continue, they are asked to read the informed consent form (Attachments 15c-15d). She will also be informed that her participation will not affect the care that she and/or her baby receives. Once verbal consent is given, participants are asked to answer a set of demographic questions (Attachment 15b) and a short survey made up of questions to be tested. We will offer women a self-administered, mail version of the survey or will administer the phone version of the survey questions to her in an in-person interview format by reading the phone survey questions to the mother. Participants will be provided one of four different versions of the questionnaire (mail or phone version of new questions being tested in English or Spanish). The mail version for both languages is self-administered so response options are written using first person pronouns and possessive pronouns and include question skip instructions on the survey for participants to follow. The phone version uses second person pronouns and possessive pronouns in the response options and question skips are programmed for a seamless interview. Participants will then respond to the field testing interview questionnaire (Attachment 15b). The testing process, which includes completing the survey and participating in the follow-up interview, does not exceed 40 minutes. Testing for mail and phone surveys are completed in person.

We anticipate doing a preliminary round of testing as well as a round of repeat testing based on results over the course of approximately two months and possibly coordinate with PRAMS jurisdiction to include additional venues for testing. We anticipate a total sample of about 50 women per testing cycle (DRH projects approximately three testing cycles per year).

The process will take no more than 40 minutes per interview. Women will receive an incentive valued at $25 for participating.