[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 179 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48458-48459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23412]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Consumer Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--WIC Iron Deficiency Anemia Study

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's (FCS) intention to 
request OMB review of the WIC Iron Deficiency Anemia Study.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 12, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection 
of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions 
of the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Michael 
E. Fishman, Acting Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food 
and Consumer Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Title: WIC Iron Deficiency Anemia Study.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N.A.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: The study, being undertaken jointly by FCS and the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will investigate the 
prevalence and etiology of anemia in selected communities reporting 
high rates of anemia to PedNSS, which do not appear to be explained by 
administrative or reporting error and/or faulty laboratory procedures.
    Approximately 2000 one year old children in eight WIC clinics 
reporting high rates of anemia to (PedNSS) will receive several 
additional tests to determine iron status in addition to the hemoglobin 
or hematocrit typically required for WIC certification. Venipuncture 
blood samples will be drawn by a qualified phlebotomist.

[[Page 48459]]

Analysis of the blood samples will be conducted primarily by CDC's 
Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory. A brief questionnaire will be 
administered to the child's parent or caretaker to assess dietary 
intake, and check for the presence of other factors that may influence 
test results. The questionnaire and the blood test will be administered 
during the regular WIC certification visit; no additional clinic visits 
will be required. Participation in the study is optional. If feasible, 
the study will also include 4 sites serving one year old children not 
participating in WIC, but located in close proximity to 4 of the WIC 
sites, to enable a broader assessment of the magnitude, distribution 
and etiology of the problem of anemia within the affected communities, 
and the role of the WIC Program. The number of children is expected to 
average 233 per clinic, for a total sample size of about 2,800, 
including non-WIC children. The project is currently under review by 
CDC's Institutional Review Board (IRB) in accordance with federal 
requirements for the protection of human subjects of research (45 CFR 
Part 46; 7 CFR Part 1c).
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 15 minutes for each parent or 
caretaker of a child participating in the study.
    Respondents: Respondents are the parents or caretakers of WIC and 
non-WIC children participating in the study.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2000 children participating in 
WIC, and 800 children not participating in WIC.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 700 hours. Copies of 
this information collection can be obtained from Janet Schiller, Office 
of Analysis and Evaluation, Food and Consumer Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.

William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
    Dated: September 30, 1996.
[FR Doc. 96-23412 Filed 9-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U