PRAMS DP21-001

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Arizona Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (Arizona PRAMS) proposes to
conduct a state-specific, population-based surveillance system of maternal behaviors and
experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. Sponsored and partially funded by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona PRAMS will supplement vital records data by
providing state-specific data to be used for planning and evaluating preconception, pregnancy
and postpartum maternal and infant health programs at the Arizona Department of Health
Services. The 2021-2026 grant cycle will mark the second application submission of the Arizona
PRAMS Program.
Arizona PRAMS will utilize a mixed-mode survey to incorporate both mail and phone systems to
increase response rates. A random sample of mothers will be drawn each month from the
Arizona Birth Certificate Database. These mothers will be mailed Arizona PRAMS
questionnaires that contain questions asking about their preconception, pregnancy and
postpartum experience including risk behaviors, pregnancy intention, access to health care,
maternal and infant nutrition, and mental health. ADHS will utilize bilingual telephone
interviewers to call mothers who do not respond by mail. The Arizona PRAMS survey will
include core surveillance questions that have been developed by the CDC and additional state-
developed questions to explore the determinants of maternal health unique in Arizona’s diverse
population. The survey is estimated to take approximately 20 minutes to complete. In order to
increase response rates, a small incentive or reward will be provided to the targeted mother.
The CDC has established a goal response rate of 55 percent.
Preconception and reproductive health and health equity are priorities of the ADHS Bureau of
Women’s and Children’s Health (BWCH). Arizona PRAMS will provide robust surveillance data
on the preconception health of reproductive-aged women and allow ADHS-funded prevention
programs to tailor their interventions to meet the mental and physical health needs of
populations at risk for negative pregnancy outcomes. Combined with data from Arizona Vital
Statistics, Arizona PRAMS will serve as an important source of longitudinal surveillance data
used to monitor the reproductive health of all of Arizona’s women.

Grant Number: 6U01DP006581-05M003
NIH Institute/Center: ALLCDC
Principal Investigator: Martin Celaya