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Methods Inf Med 1989; 28(03): 155-159
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1635562
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Tropical Epidemiology: A System for Continuous Demographic Monitoring of a Study Population

J. Stephens
1   Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
,
P. L. Alonso
1   Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
,
P. Byass
1   Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
,
R. W. Snow
1   Medical Research Council Laboratories, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
14 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract:

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.

Key-Words:

Data Collection - Microcomputers - Tropical Epidemiology - Demographic Monitoring
 

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