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Purpose
PNSS is intended to provide a framework for tabulating and analyzing
state-specific information on the nutritional status and behavioral risk
factors of pregnant women and their association to birth outcome. These
data are useful to health professionals in providing prenatal care and
managing programs for --
- Identifying prevalent nutrition problems and adverse prenatal
behaviors;
- Identifying high risk groups;
- Showing association with low birth weight;
- Monitoring trends; and
- Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.
Description
PNSS is designed as a program-based surveillance system. It is
established on data collected from health, nutrition, and food assistance
programs for pregnant women, such as the Special Supplemental Food Program
for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and prenatal clinics funded by
Maternal and Child Health Program (MCH) Block Grants. Information on
socio-demographics, prenatal risk factors, infant feeding, and birth
outcomes are collected. Those state and territorial health departments and
Indian agencies who choose to participate in the PNSS submit information
to CDC on a quarterly basis. Data are sent from these states and agencies
to CDC. The data are returned to
states/agencies via annual data summaries for use in program planning,
management, and the evaluation of maternal health programs and activities
at the state and local levels. Data analysis occurs both at the CDC and
state level, and CDC provides assistance to the states/agencies on
interpreting the data. CDC encourages the PNSS participating states and
agencies to distribute appropriate sections of the summaries to individual
counties, clinics, and programs.
Progress/Results
The initial design of the PNSS monitored nutrition-related problems,
including pregravid weight status and low hematology values. Information
on smoking behavior and birth outcome, such as birth weight, were also
collected. The emphasis of the PNSS is to quantify preventable risk behaviors, such as
smoking and alcohol consumption, and to examine the relationship of
nutrition and behavioral risks during pregnancy to birth outcome.
Future PNSS developments will continue to increase state capacity in
nutrition surveillance. CDC continues to provide technical assistance,
consultation, and training to states collecting, processing, analyzing,
interpreting and applying PNSS data.
In sum, the PNSS data indicate that the following nutrition and
behavioral interventions need to be targeted in states:
- Quality data collection.
- Promotion of adequate iron intake, reduction in alcohol intake, and
appropriate weight gain through nutrition education sessions and
materials.
- Breast-feeding promotion in low income populations.
- Outreach activities promoting early identification of pregnancy and
entry into comprehensive medical prenatal care, including WIC
services.
- Smoking cessation for all pregnant women -- especially women who are
underweight and women who are older and underweight.
- Referral of clients to alcohol treatment services to reduce drinking
behaviors as appropriate.
Report in Portable Document Format (PDF)
Related Information
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PNSS