RFA-DP-21-001 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Project

Project Summary The Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Project is a statewide, ongoing population‐based survey that collects information on women with a recent live birth in Georgia. Georgia PRAMS initiated sampling with January 1993 births. PRAMS survey data complements Vital Records data by collecting information about mothers’ attitudes, behaviors, and experiences before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. Survey topics include preconception health, pregnancy intention, prenatal care, health insurance, oral health during pregnancy, substance use, breastfeeding, safe sleep behaviors and environment, intimate partner violence, maternal stressors, contraception use and methods, and supplemental topics as emergent public health issues arise (ex: Zika Virus, Coronavirus Disease 2019), among others. Each month, a stratified random sample of approximately 110 women is drawn from birth certificate records accessed through the State Office of Vital Records. The current stratification variable is preterm birth (gestational age greater than 20 and less than 37 weeks versus all other births). The stratification scheme can vary by year and is used to ensure adequate representation of key subgroups in the sample. Sampled PRAMS participants are surveyed two to six months after delivery of their infant first by mail and then by phone if a mail survey response is not received. Each mother’s survey is linked to her infant’s birth certificate. The goal of the Georgia PRAMS Project is to provide population-based data on maternal experiences and behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy and during early infancy which can be used to reduce the risk of adverse birth outcomes and improve the health of mothers and infants in Georgia. Georgia PRAMS is the only data source for many key indicators of maternal and child health in the state, providing essential data to identify disparities, select maternal and child health priorities, inform and evaluate programs, and inform policy changes to improve the health of all mothers and infants in Georgia.