Evaluation & Surveillance

Phone: (405) 271-3619
 

The Evaluation and Surveillance component of the Center for the Advancement of Wellness tracks statewide progress towards goals and monitors the activities of programs.

A wide range of short-term, intermediate and long-term indicators are documented, including changes in knowledge, attitudes, policies, and behaviors, as well as tobacco-related health status and costs.

Key measures include:

• Changes in tobacco use among youth and adults
  
• Quitting behavior among adult smokers
  
• Adolescent attitudes about tobacco
  
• Tobacco-related policy change

Why evaluate?

• Monitor progress toward the program's goals
  
• Learn how to improve the program
  
• Demonstrate program effectiveness
  
• Ensure resources are not wasted on ineffective programs
  
• Document to program funders that their money is well spent

A comprehensive evaluation plan incorporates both quantitative and qualitative data relating to all program components. For more information contact Joyce Morris, Evaluation and Surveillance Coordinator

Key Data Collected

• Oklahoma Youth Tobacco Survey (OYTS): A school-based tobacco survey administered to a random sample of 6th-12th graders statewide conducted every two years to assess tobacco use knowledge and attitudes among Oklahoma youth.
• Oklahoma Adult Tobacco Survey (OATS): A telephone survey of a random sample of Oklahoma residents conducted periodically. OATS was initiated in 2002 and has been conducted five times (2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2014). OATS contains more detailed tobacco-related information than BRFSS regarding behaviors, attitudes, and opinions related to tobacco use.  
• School Health Profiles: A self-administered questionnaire to a random sample of middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers conducted every two years. The survey assesses policies and practices related to different topics including tobacco use prevention.

Key Data Collected by Other Departments and Agencies

• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: A year-round random telephone survey of adults age 18 and over in Oklahoma. Tobacco is one of the risk behaviors monitored by this survey.
• Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS): a population-based survey of Oklahoma women who have recently had a live birth. It asks about mother's smoking status.
• The Oklahoma Toddler Survey (TOTS): a 2 year follow-up survey sent to women who participated in PRAMS to assess the health of their child. This survey includes an assessment of the child's exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Vital Statistics: Birth records provide information on mother's smoking status and low-birthweight births. Causes of death are obtained from death certificates.
• Oklahoma Tax Commission: The Tax Commission provides us with data on tax per-capita sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products.