PRAMS

General Information

PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) is a joint research project between the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The purpose is to find out why some babies are born healthy and others are not. To do this, the PRAMS questionnaire asks new mothers about their behaviors and experiences before, during, and after their pregnancy. Each year in Nevada there are hundreds of babies born with serious health problems. Answers to the PRAMS survey will help us to learn more about ways to improve the health of mothers and babies in Nevada.

The overall goal of PRAMS is to reduce infant morbidity and mortality and to promote maternal health by influencing maternal and child health programs, policies, and maternal behaviors during pregnancy and early infancy.

The four main objectives of PRAMS are:

• Collect population-based data of high scientific quality on topics relating to pregnancy and early infancy
• Conduct data analyses in order to increase understanding of maternal behaviors and experiences during pregnancy and early infancy, and their relation to health outcomes
• Translate results from analyses into usable information for planning and evaluation of public health programs and policy.
• Build state capacity for collecting, analyzing, and translating data to address relevant maternal and infant health issues.

PRAMS Partners

In Nevada, PRAMS is housed in the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Section in the Bureau of Child, Family and Community Wellness. Nevada PRAMS partners with various programs and agencies in the State. The Steering Committee helps Nevada PRAMS achieve its goals. In addition, the Steering Committee advises PRAMS staff in the development and selection of state-specific questions and on the use, dissemination, and application of findings. The Steering Committee may use PRAMS findings to guide recommendations for developing or modifying intervention programs or for securing resources for program changes, and meets at least once annually.

National Partners

In addition to Nevada, 46 other states, New York City, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board (GPTCHB) participate in PRAMS, representing approximately 83% of all United States births.

Collection of Data

Each month, 157 new mothers are randomly selected from the state’s electronic birth records to participate in the Nevada PRAMS Survey. The survey has core questions, which are standard across the nation, and Nevada-specific questions.

The topics covered by the core questions include:

• Maternal and infant characteristics
• Emotional and physical abuse
• Breastfeeding
• Contraception use
• Tobacco, drug and alcohol use
• Maternal morbidity
• Health insurance
• Income
• Infant mortality
• Length of stay in hospital
• Mental health
• Nutrition
• Prenatal care
• Oral health
• Pregnancy intention
• Infant sleeping environment
• Nevada-specific questions, including:
  • Physical activity
  • Services received (Women, Infants and Children, counseling, etc.
  • Adverse childhood experience
  • Health insurance
  • Prenatal care
  • Oral health
  • Tobacco and substance use
  • Breastfeeding

How PRAMS Data Can Be Used

PRAMS data will provide information not available from existing data sources, and can be generalized to new mothers in Nevada. In addition, the data can be compared to other states participating in PRAMS since the methodology is standardized. Data will be used to:

• Determine characteristics of mothers and infants at risk for health complications
• Track mother and infant health changes in Nevada
• Develop programs needed to improve infant health
• Inform public health policy in regards to mother and infant health

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

• Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

For More Information

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PRAMS
• Nevada PRAMS contact info
  • 1-800-429-2669
  • pramsnevada@health.nv.gov