Frequently Asked Questions:
What subject matter does PRAMS cover?
The PRAMS questionnaire consists of a core set of questions asked by all PRAMS participating states, as well as state specific questions chosen by each state. About every four years, the survey undergoes a major revision process or phase. For specific content of Illinois surveys by year, see Illinois PRAMS Questionnaires. For specific content of the core component, see the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website http://www.cdc.gov/prams. Topic areas currently covered by PRAMS include:
- Preconception health
- Pregnancy intention
- Prenatal care content and barriers to prenatal care
- Folic acid awareness
- Physical abuse before and during pregnancy
- Risk factors, including selected medical conditions and major life stressors
- Alcohol and tobacco use before and during pregnancy
- Health insurance coverage
- Infant health and care, including well baby visits, insurance coverage, sleep position
- HIV testing
- Flu and Tdap vaccination
- Breastfeeding initiation, duration and barriers to breastfeeding
- Contraceptive use
- Depression counseling, diagnosis, treatment
- Infant safety seat ownership and installation practices
- Oral health care
Where can I find PRAMS publications?
Click on the Publications link of the Illinois PRAMS Web page to view current Illinois publications containing PRAMS data. Go to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website http://www.cdc.gov/prams to view multi-state PRAMS surveillance reports by year, special topics reports, fact sheets and reports published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Can researchers access PRAMS data?
Researchers may access multi-state PRAMS data through CDC’s PRAMS Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CPONDER). CPONDER is a Web-based query system designed to give users the ability to create their own analysis from an indexed list of variables. CPONDER is available at http://www.cdc.gov/prams/CPONDER.htm.
Requests for Illinois PRAMS datasets are reviewed on an individual basis. For more information about the request process, send an inquiry to DPH.PRAMTRAC@illinois.gov. Requests for multi-state datasets should be directed to the CDC.