Testing two incentives in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)

1. Testing two incentives in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Darci Cherry, MPH Colorado PRAMS Team Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

2. Objectives • test two incentives using the PRAMTrac experimental design feature • effectiveness • cost • “ease of use” • recommend an incentive choice

3. Background • magnetic marker board • visible, usable, informative • dollar bill • no greater expense • Gibson, et al (1999). Increasing Response Rates for Mailed Surveys of Medicaid Clients and Other Low-Income Populations. Am J Epidemiol, 149, 1057-62.

4. Methods • four batches randomly assigned • 464 received marker boards • 503 received dollar bills • compare sample characteristics and response rates of the two groups • total per item cost=purchase + mailing • “ease of use” determined through discussions with staff

5. Results: Demographics • no significant differences between groups for demographic characteristics, except region of residence • income, poverty level, age, education, marital status, race/ethnicity, birth weight, relationship with father at conception • true for random assignment and completes

6. Results: Response

7. Results: Per Item Cost

8. Marker Board envelopes must be metered before adding the incentive clips and pens must be assembled Dollar Bill storage difficult to purchase (rules) loss Results: “Ease of Use”

9. Conclusions • difference in effectiveness negligible • marker board $0.09 cheaper per item • savings of $216 for 2,400 women • marker board slightly easier to use • continue to use magnetic marker boards as incentives