Epidata
Encyclopedia
EpiData refers to a group of applications used in combination for creating documented data structures and analysis of quantitative data. The EpiData Association, which created the software, was created in 1999 and is based in Denmark
. EpiData was developed in Pascal
and uses open standards such as HTML
where possible.
EpiData is widely used by organizations and individuals to create and analyze large amounts of data. The World Health Organization
(WHO) uses EpiData in its STEPS method of collecting epidemiological
, medical, and public health
data, for biostatistics
, and for other quantitative-based projects.
Epicentre, the research wing of Médecins Sans Frontières
, uses EpiData to manage data from its international research studies and field epidemiology studies. E.g.: Piola P, Fogg C et al.: Supervised versus unsupervised intake of six-dose artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of acute, uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mbarara, Uganda: a randomised trial. Lancet. 2005 Apr 23-29;365(9469):1467-73 'PMID 15850630'. Other examples: 'PMID 16765397', 'PMID 15569777' or 'PMID 17160135'.
EpiData has two parts:
The software is free; development is funded by governmental and non-governmental organizations like WHO.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. EpiData was developed in Pascal
Pascal (programming language)
Pascal is an influential imperative and procedural programming language, designed in 1968/9 and published in 1970 by Niklaus Wirth as a small and efficient language intended to encourage good programming practices using structured programming and data structuring.A derivative known as Object Pascal...
and uses open standards such as HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
where possible.
EpiData is widely used by organizations and individuals to create and analyze large amounts of data. The World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
(WHO) uses EpiData in its STEPS method of collecting epidemiological
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the study of health-event, health-characteristic, or health-determinant patterns in a population. It is the cornerstone method of public health research, and helps inform policy decisions and evidence-based medicine by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive...
, medical, and public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
data, for biostatistics
Biostatistics
Biostatistics is the application of statistics to a wide range of topics in biology...
, and for other quantitative-based projects.
Epicentre, the research wing of Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières
' , or Doctors Without Borders, is a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland...
, uses EpiData to manage data from its international research studies and field epidemiology studies. E.g.: Piola P, Fogg C et al.: Supervised versus unsupervised intake of six-dose artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of acute, uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mbarara, Uganda: a randomised trial. Lancet. 2005 Apr 23-29;365(9469):1467-73 'PMID 15850630'. Other examples: 'PMID 16765397', 'PMID 15569777' or 'PMID 17160135'.
EpiData has two parts:
- Epidata Entry – used for simple or programmed data entry and data documentation. It handles simple forms or related systems
- EpiData Analysis – performs basic statistical analysis, graphs, and comprehensive data management, such as recoding data, label values and variables, and basic statistics. This application can create Control chartControl chartControl charts, also known as Shewhart charts or process-behaviour charts, in statistical process control are tools used to determine whether or not a manufacturing or business process is in a state of statistical control.- Overview :...
's, such as pareto charts or p-charts, and many other methods to visualize and describe statistical data.
The software is free; development is funded by governmental and non-governmental organizations like WHO.
See also
- Clinical surveillanceClinical surveillanceClinical surveillance refers to the surveillance of health data about a clinical syndrome that has a significant impact on public health, which is then used to drive decisions about health policy and health education...
- Disease surveillance
- Epidemiological methodsEpidemiological methodsThe science of epidemiology has matured significantly from the times of Hippocrates and John Snow. The techniques for gathering and analyzing epidemiological data vary depending on the type of disease being monitored but each study will have overarching similarities....
- Control chartControl chartControl charts, also known as Shewhart charts or process-behaviour charts, in statistical process control are tools used to determine whether or not a manufacturing or business process is in a state of statistical control.- Overview :...