Appendix C Letter from Battelle rev 10-27-06

Appendix C

Focus group discussions

Letter from Battelle

Date

Address

Dear Ms. <Last Name>

Thank you for your interest in learning more about the group discussion for the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. We appreciate the time you took to complete the study interview in the past. The information you gave us is being used to find out how exposures during pregnancy affect the risk of birth defects. The second part of the study, the cheek cell sample collection, helps us learn more about genetic factors that may increase the risk of birth defects. We are inviting you along with other study participants to group discussions about the cheek cell collection process so that we can make improvements to the study. Your thoughts and opinions could be very helpful to us. All information you provide will be kept confidential.

Each group discussion will take about two and one half hours, plus travel time. Refreshments will be provided. During the discussion, we will ask you questions about the cheek cell sample kit and how you made your decision about completing the kit. If you choose to be part of the group discussion, we will send you a discussion group packet and a $50 money order to help with childcare costs. We will give you $20 in cash at the group discussion to cover travel costs, or we will arrange and pay for taxi service. We will also give you $50 in cash at the end of the group discussion to thank you for your time and effort.

We have enclosed a form you can complete if you decide not to be part of the group discussions. Please complete and return this form in the postage-paid envelope within 10 days and we will not contact you again. If we do not receive this form, we will call you in two weeks to confirm your intention to participate in a discussion and to schedule one that is convenient for you.

We thank you again for your interest in learning more about these important discussions. Your thoughts and ideas about the cheek cell sample kit and collection process will help in the fight against birth defects. If you have any questions, please call 1-877-719-2027 or Dr. Margaret Honein at 404 498-4315

Sincerely,

<Dr. Margaret Honein>

<Address>

Enclosures (no-contact form, prepaid return envelope)

NO-CONTACT FORM

If you would NOT like to be contacted about the group discussion, please return this form in the postage-paid envelope within 10 days of receipt.

I do NOT wish to take part in a group discussion.

SIGNATURE _________________________________________________________

PRINTED NAME ______________________________________________________

DATE _________________

Thank you for your time.