National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) collects and disseminate “statistics on family formation, growth, and dissolution.” The NSFG supplements and complements the data from birth and fetal death certificates by monitoring factors (such as sexual activity, contraception, marriage and cohabitation, and infertility) that affect birth and pregnancy rates. Six cycles of the NSFG were fielded periodically from 1973 to 2002--in 1973, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1995, and 2002. In the 1973 to 1995 surveys, the NSFG was based on national samples of women aged 15-44 and focused on factors affecting pregnancy and birth rates. In 2002, the NSFG began interviewing men aged 15-44, as well as women. In addition to gaining men’s perspectives on factors affecting pregnancy and birth rates, the goals for including men were to obtain data on fatherhood involvement, behaviors related to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and other closely related topics. The sample of men was independent from the sample of women. Beginning in June 2006, the NSFG adopted a continuous fieldwork design in order to provide public-use data on a more frequent, timely basis to our cosponsoring programs, and also to collect these data in a more cost-efficient manner (Lepkowski et al., 2013; Lepkowski et al., 2010; Groves et al., 2009). After the initial period of the “continuous” survey fielded from June 2006 to June 2010, interviewing ceased while a new 10-year contract was awarded and necessary approvals could be obtained. NSFG interviewing resumed in September 2011 and ran continuously for 8 years through September 2019. Our prior reinstatement request followed the award of another 10-year contract to support data collection for 8 years (2022-2029), pending funding availability and all applicable clearances. The reinstatement was approved in December 2021 and expires 12/31/24. As noted above, the current revision request is based on changes sought in the main survey incentive, as well as some other survey protocol and content enhancements.
US Code:
42 USC 306
Name of Law: Public Health Service Act 242k
NCHS is requesting 6,584 total burden hours, an increase of 462 hours from the previously (in 2021) approved estimate of 6,122 hours. In addition to the request to increase the main survey incentive from $40 to $60, this revision request proposes some modifications to the survey instruments to meet the needs of NSFG’s cosponsors, as well as to improve clarity, consistency, and usability in both survey modes. These questionnaire changes are highlighted in Attachments H-J and also summarized above in Section 2.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.