Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
Definitions of indicators
Infant Health
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding initiation | Did you ever breastfeed or pump breast milk to feed your baby? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Yes." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those whose babies have died or are not living with them. |
| Breastfeeding four weeks or more | How many weeks or months did you breastfeed or pump milk to feed your baby? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who breastfed for four weeks or more. Denominator: All respondents, excluding those whose babies have died or are not living with them. |
| Breastfeeding eight weeks or more | How many weeks or months did you breastfeed or pump milk to feed your baby? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who breastfed for eight weeks or more. Denominator: All respondents, excluding those whose bbabies have died or are not living with them. |
Oral Health
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teeth cleaned during pregnancy | When did you have your teeth cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist? |
|
2004-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "during my most recent pregnancy." Denominator: All respondents (excluding respondents who have never had their teeth cleaned). |
| Needed to see a dentist for a problem during pregnancy | This question is about the care of your teeth and gums during your most recent pregnancy |
|
2002-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "I needed to see a dentist for a problem." Denominator: All respondents. |
| Went to a dentist or dental clinic during pregnancy | This question is about the care of your teeth and gums during your most recent pregnancy |
|
2002-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "I went to a dentist or dental clinic." Denominator: All respondents. |
| Talked to a dentist or health care worker about care of teeth and gums during pregnancy | This question is about the care of your teeth and gums during your most recent pregnancy |
|
2002-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "A dental or other health care worker talked to me about how to care for my teeth and gums. " Denominator: All respondents. |
Nutrition
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multivitamin use before pregnancy | During the month before you got pregnant with your new baby, how many times a week did you take a multivitamin or a prenatal vitamin? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "1 to 3 days a week" or "4 to 6 days a week" or "everyday of the week." Denominator: All respondents. |
| Folic acid knowledge | Some health experts recommend taking folic acid for which one of the following reasons? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "To prevent birth defects." Denominator: All respondents. |
| WIC services during pregnancy | During your most recent pregnancy were you on WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Yes." Denominator: All respondents. |
Maternal Behaviors
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking before pregnancy | In the 3 months before you got pregnant, how many cigarettes did you smoke on an average day? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who reported smoking any cigarettes. Denominator: All respondents. |
| Smoking during pregnancy | In the last three months of pregnancy, how many cigarettes did you smoke on an average day? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who reported smoking any cigarettes. Denominator: All respondents. |
| Smoking after delivery | How many cigarettes do you smoke on an average day now? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who reported smoking any cigarettes. Denominator: All respondents. |
Family Planning
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertility treatments received for most recent pregnancy | Did you receive treatment from a doctor, nurse, or other health care worker to help you get pregnant with your new baby? |
|
2004-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Yes." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those who were not trying to get pregnant, and those using birth control to prevent pregnancy. |
| Women who were using birth control when they became pregnant | When you got pregnant with your new baby, were you or your husband or partner doing anything to keep from getting pregnant? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Yes." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those who were trying to get pregnant. |
| Live births resulting from an unintended pregnancy | Thinking back to just before you became pregnant with your new baby, how did you feel about becoming pregnant? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "I wanted to be pregnant later" or "I didn't want to be pregnant then or at any time in the future." Denominator: All respondents. |
Prenatal Care
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prenatal care counseling on smoking during pregnancy | During any of your prenatal care visits, did a doctor, nurse, or other health care worker talk with you about any of the things listed below? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "How smoking during pregnancy could affect my baby." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those who did not go for prenatal care. |
| Prenatal care counseling on alcohol use during pregnancy | During any of your prenatal care visits, did a doctor, nurse, or other health care worker talk with you about any of the things listed below? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "How drinking alcohol during pregnancy could affect my baby." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those who did not go for prenatal care. |
| Prenatal care counseling on HIV testing during pregnancy | During any of your prenatal care visits, did a doctor, nurse, or other health care worker talk with you about any of the things listed below? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Getting tested for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those who did not go for prenatal care. |
| HIV test during pregnancy | At any time during your most recent pregnancy or delivery, did you have a test for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Yes." Denominator: All respondents. |
| Prenatal care received from doctor's office or HMO clinic | Where did you go most of the time for your prenatal care visits? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "Private doctor's office or HMO clinic." Denominator: All respondents, excluding those who did not go for prenatal care. |
Mental Health
| Indicator | Question | Possible Responses | Data Collection Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor mental health status during pregnancy | How would you describe the time during your most recent pregnancy? |
|
2000-2009 | Numerator: Respondents who checked "A very hard time" or "One of the worst times of my life." Denominator: All respondents. |


