Description
NSFG provides national data on factors affecting birth and pregnancy rates, adoption, and maternal and infant health.
Supplier(s)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (CDC, NCHS)
Data Years Available
From 1976-2002, a total of six cycles of the survey were conducted. Beginning in 2006, the survey has been conducted continuously.
Periodicity
Continuous since 2006; a minimum of 2 data years is required for analyses.
Mode
Computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) by professional female interviewers. In addition, an audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) section is used for more sensitive topics.
Selected Content
Data elements include sexual activity, marriage, divorce and remarriage, unmarried cohabitation, forced sexual intercourse, contraception and sterilization, infertility, breastfeeding, pregnancy loss, low birthweight, and use of medical care for family planning and fertility.
Population covered
Since the 2002 cycle, men and women aged 15-44 years in the household population of the United States.
Methodology
Interviewers are conducted in person by professional female interviewers using a standardized questionnaire. In all cycles, black women were sampled at a higher rate than white women. Hispanic persons were also oversampled in Cycles 5 and 6 (1995 and 2002). To produce national estimates, data for the interviewed sample were (1) inflated by the reciprocal of the probability of selection at each stage of sampling; (b) adjusted for nonresponse; and (c ) poststratified, or forced to agree with benchmark population values based on data from the Census Bureau.
Response rate and sample size
In cycle 6 (2002), interviews were completed with 7,643 eligible women (about 80%) mad 4,928 eligible men (78%).
References
National Center for Health Statistics. Health United States 2009: With Special Feature on Medical Technology. Hyattsville, Maryland. 2010; pg 475.