The Vermont Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System is designed to improve the health of mothers and their babies. It is a survey of new mothers that asks questions about experiences and behaviors before, during, and shortly after pregnancy. A sample of new mothers is selected each month from the birth file, and stratified by birth weight. The mother is first sent a letter informing her that she will be receiving a survey. The first survey mailing is sent four days later with a cover letter that describes the project. It also includes the informed consent, a question and answer brochure, resource information, return envelope and a small gift as an incentive. A reminder letter is sent two weeks later to non- respondents. A second survey packet is mailed two weeks after the tickler letter, and then a third survey packet after two more weeks. One week after the final mailing, telephone calls are initiated with any mail nonrespondents. Multiple phone calls over five weeks are made in an attempt to reach the mother and persuade her to complete a telephone interview.

Public Health Relevance

The Vermont Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System is a population- based surveillance system that provides state-specific data for improving the health of mothers and their infants. The information from this program is used to identify problems, to develop policies and programs, and to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Chronic Disease Prev and Health Promo (NCCDPHP)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01DP003111-03
Application #
8464545
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDP1-DYB (02))
Program Officer
Brown, Michael
Project Start
2011-05-01
Project End
2016-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$145,153
Indirect Cost
$17,884
Name
Vermont State Agency of Human Services
Department
Type
DUNS #
809376155
City
Williston
State
VT
Country
United States
Zip Code
05495