Pregnancy Risk Assessment
Monitoring System (PRAMS)

New Jersey PRAMS is a joint research project of the Department of Health and Senior Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bloustein Center for Survey Research at Rutgers University. Information from PRAMS is used to help plan better health programs for New Jersey mothers and infants (See Briefs and Reports for examples of our current focus.)

One out of every 48 women giving birth each month is selected for the survey, and more than 70% participate, totaling 2.000 interviews annually. They are asked about their feelings and experiences before, during and after pregnancy. Leading topics include:

• Pre-conception health, pregnancy intention, and assisted reproduction
• Prenatal care and health insurance
• Maternal and infant health care
• Maternal smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Infant sleep position and other SIDS risk factors
• Partner abuse

NJ-PRAMS is supervised by the Maternal and Child Epidemiology Program at DHSS. Activities include:

• Annual determination of questionnaire content
• Management of the sampling process
• Data management and analysis
• Dissemination of results among state government and private sector programs
• Education of families and health care providers on determinants of healthy pregnancy

Frequently Asked Questions [English 96K] [Spanish 92K]

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Data Briefs, Reports & Other Publications

Data Briefs present the latest PRAMS survey data on specific issues, to inform service providers and policy makers. Each brief describes an “Agenda for Action” for improved healthcare services, and links to other resources.

Births from Unintended Pregnancy
Prevalence of unintended pregnancy among live births; maternal and newborn health risks associated with unintended pregnancy.(May 2008)

Screening for HIV in Pregnancy
Prenatal HIV counseling and testing for HIV: guidelines and adherence. Collaboration with the Division of HIV/AIDS Services. (April 2008)

Timely Post-Partum Care for Mothers
The six-week maternal follow-up examination, and sociodemographic disparities. (April 2008)
Data Supplement for Timely Post-Partum Care for Mothers

Timely Newborn and Well-Baby Care
Adherence to recommendation of a pediatric visit in the first week of life and well-baby visits each month in early infancy. (April 2008)
Data Supplement for Timely Newborn and Well-Baby Care

Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy
Smoking cessation behavior of recent mothers in New Jersey and utilization of state services. Collaboration with the New Jersey Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program and Mom's Quit Connection.

Smoking and Pregnancy
Prevalence of smoking before, during and after pregnancy. Collaboration with the New Jersey Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program (CTCP).

Newborn Sleeping Position and SIDS Risk
Prevalence of risk factors related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Collaboration with the SIDS Center of New Jersey.

Health Insurance and Healthy Pregnancy
Coverage of prenatal care and delivery by private health insurance and NJ FamilyCare. Also examines insurance-related disparities for various perinatal health outcomes. (Dec 2006)

Breastfeeding In New Jersey
Prevalence of breastfeeding through the first eight weeks of life. Collaboration with New Jersey WIC Services.

Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy
Prevalence of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, social and behavioral risk factors and calls for universal screening for all pregnant women. Collaboration with UMDNJ, New Jersey Medical School.

Pre-Pregnancy Weight Status and Pregnancy Weight Gain
Compliance with IOM recommendations for pregnancy weight gain according to pre-pregnancy weight; risk factors and perinatal complications. Collaboration with New Jersey WIC services.

PRAMS Methodology

NJ-PRAMS questionnaire for 2004-2005

Summary of Survey Methodology for New Jersey PRAMS

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Related Links

National PRAMS Program – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Background, methodology and current results.

Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology, Department of Health and Senior Services
Information about the program unit that organizes New Jersey PRAMS.

Bloustein Center for Survey Research

Rutgers University’s lead social science survey unit manages the data collection for NJ-PRAMS and for many other state-sponsored survey projects.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System – New Jersey
The corresponding survey for the health of the adult population. Managed by New Jersey’s Center for Health Statistics.

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Contact PRAMS

NJ-PRAMS Project Director:
Lakota K. Kruse, MD MPH, Medical Director, Division of Family Health Services
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 364, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364.
Tel: 609-292-5656. E-mail: lakota.kruse@doh.state.nj.us

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