Tropical epidemiology: a system for continuous demographic monitoring of a study population.
Epidemiologists in many developing countries, where official demographic services are unavailable, have to include some demographic functions in their work. The usual method of documenting a study population for epidemiological research in a developing country consists of three stages: mapping, enumeration and vital registration. This paper considers the last element of this process, detailing the development of a suitable data system and explaining how its implementation using microcomputers and a database management system can help in the creation of an on-line continuous vital registration system for a study population as an epidemiological tool. The issues covered are data collection, entry and analysis, and the advantages of such a system for use in epidemiological research in developing countries are also discussed.
Stephens
J
J
Alonso
P L
PL
Byass
P
P
Snow
R W
RW
D000354:Africa, Western; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003628:Database Management Systems; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D007256:Information Systems; D008838:Microcomputers; D009862:Online Systems; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013997:Time Factors; D014330:Tropical Medicine; D014798:Vital Statistics