9–12 Months

Mothers were once again contacted when the study child was between nine and twelve months. This contact was done between April 16, 2012 and September 14, 2012. This was also JA KIDS’ first time contacting primary caregivers – that is, persons other than the child’s mother who is serving as the primary caregiver of the child. This person could be related to the child in a number of different ways, including fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends.

Parents and primary caregivers were interviewed via the telephone. Seventy-nine percent (n = 7754) of the 9766 families enrolled at birth were interviewed during this sweep. This nine to twelve month contact involved a detailed follow-up of children’s nutrition, health and development as well as family functioning, maternal health and well-being, parental stress, home learning environment and child-care arrangements. 

Interviews were done using a computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) method. CATI has been recognised internationally as the most effective way to conduct repeated follow up interviews with a large national sample.  This method was also selected as a way to contact families because of Jamaica’s high levels of cell phone penetration and generally low response rates for self completed mail questionnaires. The use of the CATI system during the 9 – 12 month contact was first time this type of system was used in research in Jamaica.