- EpiData-list - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

date time difference and age calculation
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

In writing documentation, help file, how to's, faq solutions etc. the problem is not so much to give solutions, but how to write solutions in a way where users actually find them. For the age calculation if you look in EpiData Entry file under "time functions" you will see: ................... LET INT1=(ROUND(INT((TODAY-D1)/365.25)) Calculates the age of a person whose date of birth was entered in D1. Round is needed to convert the result of the calculation from a real number to a integer number. ................... and if you look in the help file for entry under "time functions" or "time about" or "Age on specific date" one example clearly shows how to do the calculations questioned on the list recently. The time example is also included with the installation of the Entry programme. I am not saying this to "point fingers" at the recent questioning on this list, but to underline that despite the amount of documentation, field notes, help files etc. it is my firm conviction that there is a definite need for a lively help line. For users following the Stata list or having used the very large volume of documentation and help facilities for Stata (www.stata.com) you will notice that also on that list questions shows up on issues actually explained but users not finding them. In other words: We can and should include obvious "often asked issues" in documentation, but even if we do, there will be someone not finding this information. Which is exactly why a large user base where someone find and take the time to answer these questions on the EpiData list is very important. Regards Jens Lauritsen EpiData Association

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Entering time and date for outbreaks
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 26 Feb '07

26 Feb '07

Hello everyone I am after advice about the best way to record time and date information when collecting information about food poisoning outbreaks, given epidata does not have a time/date field. We want this information to estimate incubation periods, in order to get clues about the likely illness. Incubation Incubation = time from when someone is exposed to the time they become unwell. For example someone may eat a buffet meal at 7pm on 21 February and become unwell at 1am on 22 February = incubation of 6 hours. Current method At the moment we: a) enter information in two fields. OnsetDay is recorded in a date field, and onsettime in a numeric field (####) b) list the two fields (using epi info) to view the information c) calculate incubation manually. Is there a better/easier way to do this? Also what is the recommended way for entering 24 clock time - should 7.30pm be 1930 or 19.30 thanks very much Christine Christine Roseveare Analyst Regional Public Health 570 9194 027 495 9671 -- The information contained in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and remove all copies of the message, including any attachments. Any views or opinions expressed in this email (unless otherwise stated) may not represent those of Hutt Valley DHB. Thank you. ** Disclaimer added by HVDHB **

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Current age calculation
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 25 Feb '07

25 Feb '07

Thank you Jamie for today mornings message. I was confused by the complex syntax of American date selection This solution was also obtained over the week end while working on a Fedora Linux machine on which Epidata entry and Analysis latest versions were installed.. Simple formulas, which produced wonders, are given below; define interval ### let interval=wdate - dbirth *calculate the interval in days using American dates. define interval ### let interval=(wdate dbirth)30.44 results in a error Data type mismatch define interval ###.# let interval=(wdate dbirth)/30.44 calculates the interval months using American dates. Epi Analysis accepts float type variables as suggested by Gillis Delmas. However round or integer prefix do not help. The output is produced in decimals and not rounded to the nearest figure. I wanted to obtain the current age hence did not include this formula in Epidata Entry as suggested by Pedro Emmanuel Brasil One request to Jens; Such examples should be included in the help file in the form of simple FAQs, which can save hours or even days of Epi Analysis Users (beginner and even experienced!!). Thank you friends for your timely help Much appreciated Dr. Shavinder Singh

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Age Calculation
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 24 Feb '07

24 Feb '07

Dear Friends, Thanks for your time and effort. I tried in so many many ways. Nothing is working. I am attching a sample file with following PGM. The error message obtained are shown in the next line beginning with "*" Kindly help. With regards, Dr. Shavinder Singh *Try.pgm cls close set echo=off set replace logfile=on read "d:\work\amdate.rec" define wdateu <DD/MM/YYYY> LET wdateu=wdate define dbirthU <DD/MM/YYYY> LET dbirthU=dbirth logopen "TRY.PGM OUTPUT FILE" /CLOSE define interval ### let interval=date("wdateu","dmy")- date("dbirthu","dmy") list Interval *Error message - (NO RESPONSE) define interval2 ### let interval2=Integer(date("wdate" - "dbirth")) list Interval2 *Error message Access violation at address 006C91D6 in module 'EPIDATASTAT.EXE'. Read of address FFFFFFFF define interval3 ### let interval3=Integer(date("wdate") - date("dbirth")) list Interval3 *Error message - (NO RESPONSE) define interval4 ### let interval4=Integer(round(date("wdate","mdy")- date("dbirth","mdy"))) list Interval4 *Error message -(NO RESPONSE) close

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<IDNUM> in statusbar!!
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 24 Feb '07

24 Feb '07

Hi Jamie, thanks for helping me out with the <IDNUM> problem! You also answered my other question about how to show the <IDNUM> in the statusbar. Bye, Ben.

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showing <IDNUM> in statusbar
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 23 Feb '07

23 Feb '07

Hi all, Thanks Juergen for your valuable tip to use respnumber TYPE SATUSBAR end to show the value of field 'respnumber' in the statusbar during data entry! I'm quite unexperienced in using epidata and didn't know of this nice feature. Still I have a question. Is it also possible to show the value of the automatic IDNUM field in the statusbar? The reason for this question is that I do not want to enter the respondent number myself, but would like to use the automatically generated IDNUM instead. More or less related is the next question. If one uses the following two lines (look quite meaningless, I agree) <IDNUM> <IDNUM> in the QES file, then why does, during data entry, the first <IDNUM> always stay 1 - even after entering the second, third etc. case - while the second <IDNUM> is adjusted to the correct case number, i.e., the one who's data are currently being entered? Bye and thanks for any help, Ben.

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Showing IDNUM at top of 2 or more entry screens
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Hi all, With many fields to enter, the QES file of epidata can easily become very large and cover 2 (or even more) subsequent screens. While entering the data, after having filled in the last field of screen 1, there will be a continuous scrolling down after each next field is entered. To prevent this continuous scrolling of the screen, one can use the TOPOFSCREEN command in the CHK file, which places the field in question at the top of the second entry screen. This results in a more steady (over)view during data entry, which I think is preferable. Now to my question. At the top of the first screen I show the value of the automatic <IDNUM> field, which corresponds with the respondent number written on the questionnaires. Is there a way to have this <IDNUM> shown at the top of EACH new data entry screen? I've tried this by simply putting the text respondent: <IDNUM> at the top of each new screen. However, this didn't work well, since after the entry and saving of record 1, the next empty datarecord for case 2 is shown, but instead of showing respondent 2 it shows respondent 1 while at the second screen it shows respondent 2 Probably I'm doing something strange, with showing the IDNUM field more then one time in the same REC file. Does anyone know a method to manage this problem? Thanks, Ben.

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IDNUM at top of each data entry screen?
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 22 Feb '07

22 Feb '07

Hi all, With many fields to enter, the QES file of epidata can easily become very large and cover 2 (or even more) subsequent screens. While entering the data, after having filled in the last field of screen 1, there will be a continuous scrolling down after each next field is entered. To prevent this continuous scrolling, one can use the TOPOFSCREEN command in the CHK file, which places the field in question at the top of the second entry screen. This results in a more steady (over)view during data entry, which I think is preferable. Now to my question. At the top of the first screen I show the value of the automatic <IDNUM> field, which corresponds with the respondent number written on the questionnaires. Is there a way to have this <IDNUM> shown at the top of EACH new data entry screen? I've tried this by simply putting the text respondent: <IDNUM> at the top of each new screen. However, this didn't work well, since after the entry and saving of record 1, the next empty datarecord for case 2 is shown, but instead of showing respondent 2 it shows respondent 1 while at the second screen it shows respondent 2 Probably I'm doing something strange, with showing the IDNUM field more then one time in the same REC file. Does anyone know a method to manage this problem? Thanks, Ben.

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Age calculation
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Hi, Gilles assessment of the problem is rigth, the message you get is because the results of your calculation is real number and your defined variable is an integer. I think the best solution is: Let age=Integer(date("WDATE","mdy") - date("DOB","mdy"))/30.44) The INTEGER function converts and real number into an integer. I have tried with some records and it works. Regarding Pedro Emmanuel´s solution, I wouldn't do that except if you need the calculation during the data entry (for example to take decisions based on the age of the patient). Otherwise i wouldn't include the field in the QES in order to save room in the harddisk (I know it is not a big issue nowadays, but..) and to save room in the screen and also make it more clear. Hope it helps. Saludos, Pedro Arias > > > > 2007/2/20, epidata-list-rtequest(a)lists.umanitoba.ca < > epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca>: >> >> Send EpiData-list mailing list submissions to >> epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> epidata-list-owner(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of EpiData-list digest..." >> >> >> EpiData-list mailing list >> ___________________________________ >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Date range selection for age calculation >> (epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca) >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: 20 Feb 2007 07:15:30 -0000 >> From: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> Subject: [EpiData-list] Date range selection for age calculation To: >> epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> Cc: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> Message-ID: <20070220071530.19938.qmail(a)webmail35.rediffmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 >> >> Dear Epidata team friends, >> I have two American date >> format variables. DOB is date of birth of baby and WDATE is date of >> weighing the baby for the growth monitoring. >> >> I used to write the following statement to calculate the age in months >> in EPI6 >> >> Define age ### >> Let age=(WDATE DOB)/30.44 >> >> That does not work in EPI ANALYSIS >> >> I tried the statement; >> Let age= (date("WDATE","mdy") - date("DOB","mdy"))/30.44 >> The error message was; >> Data type mismatch >> >> Please help. >> >> Shavinder Singh >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> ________________________________________ >> EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list >> >> >> End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 40, Issue 15 >> ******************************************** >> > > > > -- > Abraço forte e que a força esteja com você, > Pedro Emmanuel > > > ------------------------------ > > ________________________________________ > EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list > > > End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 40, Issue 16 > ********************************************

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Re: EpiData-list Digest, Vol 40, Issue 15
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 21 Feb '07

21 Feb '07

Dear Shavinder Singh, I did learn in the same as you, missing a lot first. Dont give up. My suggestion is to put this variable on the .QES that would be automatically calculate during entry. Usually the formula is LET variable_age=ROUND(INT((now_date - birth_date)/365.25)) Epidata does not round and transform the calculation automatically and this syntax is necessary every time you will do any calculation with dates. Good luck, Pedro Emmanuel Brasil 2007/2/20, epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca < epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca>: > > Send EpiData-list mailing list submissions to > epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > > You can reach the person managing the list at > epidata-list-owner(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of EpiData-list digest..." > > > EpiData-list mailing list > ___________________________________ > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Date range selection for age calculation > (epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: 20 Feb 2007 07:15:30 -0000 > From: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Subject: [EpiData-list] Date range selection for age calculation > To: epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Cc: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Message-ID: <20070220071530.19938.qmail(a)webmail35.rediffmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Dear Epidata team friends, > I have two American date > format variables. DOB is date of birth of baby and WDATE is date of weighing > the baby for the growth monitoring. > > I used to write the following statement to calculate the age in months in > EPI6 > > Define age ### > Let age=(WDATE – DOB)/30.44 > > That does not work in EPI ANALYSIS > > I tried the statement; > Let age= (date("WDATE","mdy") - date("DOB","mdy"))/30.44 > The error message was; > Data type mismatch > > Please help. > > Shavinder Singh > > > > ------------------------------ > > ________________________________________ > EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list > > > End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 40, Issue 15 > ******************************************** > -- Abraço forte e que a força esteja com você, Pedro Emmanuel

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