Approved for use in concept through 3/98 under the following conditions: 1) OMB and other reviewers were unable to evaluate the entire survey effort because several components of the study were not included in the PRA submission. For example, DoD must submit the draft cover letter encouraging Seabee partici- pation, the reinterview survey and follow-up phone contact surveys, more detail justifying DoD's attrition estimate for outyears,and an explanation of how the Phase I sample was designed to compensate for such attrition. OMB will review these materials and may request changes to these materials before they are fielded; 2) DoD must achieve a response rate of 80% for this survey effort.DoD must submit to OMB an enhanced plan for achiev- ing this response rate for those respondents that are "in scope" for this survey effort. To accomplish an 80% rate, DoD may need to make this effort a telephone rather than mail survey; 3) OMB particularly is interested in how this Seabee survey effort was designed to allow for comparisons to the VA National Prevalence Survey. DoD must justify to OMB why the reference periods and lists of symptoms, medical conditions, and exposures differ on this survey from the VA National Survey. Based on this analysis, OMB may request revisions to the survey instrument; 4) OMB questions whether the responses to question 52 will have validity. Do individuals successfully diagnose " food poisoning?" DoD should justify this question; 5) DoD must add a general health status question similar to question 7 in the VA National Prevalence Survey; and 6) DoD must respond in writing to the CDC's remarks on this effort (some overlap with OMB's concerns) and adopt CDC's recommendations where appropriate. Prior to fielding this effort, OMB must review DoD's additional analyses and provide final approval of the amended instruments and sampling methodology.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
11/30/1999
11/30/1999
11,000
0
0
6,800
0
0
0
0
0
Since returning from the Persian Gulf War, some veterans have complained of unusual symptoms. The DoD needs questionnaire data from Gulf War veterans of the same era to investigate these complaints. This study will focus upon a population of U.S. Navy Seabees, some of whom have left military service.
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.
Epidemiologic Studies of Morbidity Among Gulf War Veterans: A Search for Etiologic Agents and Risk Factors, Seabee Health Study (Study 5)