Introduction tosurveillance data exercise

Preben Aavitsland

Contents

• Analyse data sets from the Norwegian Surveillance System (MSIS)

• Excel pivot table functions and graphics• Present important features of the disease in

PowerPoint– time trend, seasonal trend– place characteristics (place of living and place of

infection)– person characteristics (age, sex, place of birth)

Topics

• A Campylobacteriosis in Norway 1981 – 2005– File CAMP.xls

• B Shigellosis in Norway 1981 – 2005– File SHIG.xls

• C Hepatitis A in Norway 1981 – 2005– File HEPA.xlx

• D Malaria in Norway 1981 – 2005– File MALA.xls

• E Meningococcal disease in Norway 1981 – 2005– File MENO.xls

Real (but anonymised) data sets from Norway

Learning objectives

• Understand the structure of a surveillance database

• Master the use of Excel pivot tables to analyse surveillance data

• Create tables and graphs for presenting surveillance data

• Analyse surveillance data by time, place and person

• Present surveillance data

Outcome and presentation

Produce a PowerPoint presentation using template:

• Title slide• Disease and setting• Surveillance system (provided)• Time trends (for example long term trends, seasonal

variation)• Place characteristics (for example place of residence, place

of infection)• Person characteristics (for example age and sex, place of

birth)• Other features• Discussion• Conclusion

Database in Excel

• Record = one line = one disease event

• Variable (or field) = one column = one charatersitic of the event

• Value = content of a field

• File specification = explanation of variables and values