September 2008 - EpiData-list - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Alyshia Landry is out of the office.
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

I will be out of the office starting 09/27/2008 and will not return until 10/06/2008. If you require immediate assistance, please contact Celina Sousa at extension 5300. Thank-you, Alyshia

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numerical to date chk?
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 30 Sep '08

30 Sep '08

Dear Epidata list, I am looking for a way to generate a date-variable from a numerical-variable. i.e. I will type in the Danish central person registration number (10 digits where the 6 first digits are the birthday ddmmyy) I would like to automatically create a date variable from this - to calculate ages at later dates. I have looked for a chk that would do it, but couldn't find any. Does anybody have a solution? (and sorry if this has been discussed before, I searched and couldn't find any relevant discussion threads) thanks in advance, Drude Molbo, data admin dept. of social medicine, KU DK

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Opening html files in excel and using not equal to blank with date fields
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

One comment and one query Use of brackets in AR% column I just wondered if it was necessary to use brackets in the AR% tables in attack rate tables. The reason I ask is that when I open an Epidata output (html file) using Excel the AR% columns show as negative numbers - I suppose because Excel thinks the brackets indicate a negative number. Not equal to blank in date fields I am having trouble wtih an if then statement where I want to do something if a date field is not blank. I know that Epidata will accept (.) for blank dates as it accepts If vomdate =(.) and diadate = (.) then onsetdate = (.) But it does not accept If vomdate =(.) and diadate <> (.) then onsetdate = diadate Could someone please suggest a better code for "not blank" with a date field? thanks 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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Another question about SPC
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

I am trying to use EpiData to display information about Healthcare Associated Infections, such as MRSA and C difficile. I was wondering if SPC charts can be used to show actual and cases against targets. Please see an example attached of what I am trying to achieve. This has been done in excel (I think!) Thanks, Shakeel ----------------------------------------- ************************************************************************** The information contained in the EMail and any attachments is confidential and intended solely and for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). It may not be disclosed to any other person without the express authority of the HPA, or the intended recipient, or both. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part of it. This footnote also confirms that this EMail has been swept for computer viruses, but please re-sweep any attachments before opening or saving. HTTP://www.HPA.org.uk **************************************************************************

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EPIC bug report - fails on Stata7 option.
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 11 Sep '08

11 Sep '08

EPIC.exe has a bug. It failes with a pointer error Access Violation when trying to use the export to "Stata7" option. It does leave a small Stata .dta file which has a size of 717 bytes. Stata hangs on trying to open this small file. Specifying the Stata, Stata5 and Stata6 options works fine. I've tried the command in various formats (lower/uppercase etc), on local hard drive, network drive etc. Windows XP. Any chances of a quick fix? This is a problem for me because Stata6 only has 8-character variable names, whereas Stata7 doesn't have this limitation. With EpiC, my Stata data cleaning process could work automatically from the most recent data entry version. Would a 200 Euro donation to the Epidata association help fix this problem at some point in time? HERE IS AN ERROR LOG: ==================== C:\tmp>EpiC.exe export stata7 file1.rec file1.dta EpiC - the EpiData command application version 3.1 10. Jan. 2006 (C) Copyright 2002-2006 - EpiData Association, http://www.epidata.dk Programmed by M.Bruus. Design: JM.Lauritsen & M.Bruus 0 % doneException EAccessViolation in module EpiC.exe at 00001C3C. Access violation at address 00401C3C in module 'EpiC.exe'. Write of address 0000 0004. ==================== Yours, Jan Brogger

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SPC Charts
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 10 Sep '08

10 Sep '08

Hello, Is it possible to create SPC Charts in Epidata Analysis- if so, what is the procedure? Thanks Shakeel ----------------------------------------- ************************************************************************** The information contained in the EMail and any attachments is confidential and intended solely and for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). It may not be disclosed to any other person without the express authority of the HPA, or the intended recipient, or both. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part of it. This footnote also confirms that this EMail has been swept for computer viruses, but please re-sweep any attachments before opening or saving. HTTP://www.HPA.org.uk **************************************************************************

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Two questions
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 09 Sep '08

09 Sep '08

Hello, 1- In Analysis, the width of variable codes is 20 characters with "freq" or "tables". Is it possible to increase this width ? I have variable codes> 20 characters. 2- In related file ("daughter file"), I need, for a calculation, of a variable in "father file". How to proceed ? Thank you. Bernard BRANGER, Nantes, France

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Help needed
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 08 Sep '08

08 Sep '08

I am new to epi-data analysis. I set up a test file called test.csv to practice. However, I am getting the following message. Any advice would be appreciated: Access is denied Operation aborted Separators: (tab: 0)(semicolon: 0)(comma: 0)(space: 0) Lines: 1 Cannot define number of variables .. check data file - cannot open.. Operation aborted Operation aborted Separators: (tab: 0)(semicolon: 0)(comma: 0)(space: 0) Lines: 1 Cannot define number of variables .. check data file - cannot open.. Operation aborted Operation aborted ----------------------------------------- ************************************************************************** The information contained in the EMail and any attachments is confidential and intended solely and for the attention and use of the named addressee(s). It may not be disclosed to any other person without the express authority of the HPA, or the intended recipient, or both. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part of it. This footnote also confirms that this EMail has been swept for computer viruses, but please re-sweep any attachments before opening or saving. HTTP://www.HPA.org.uk **************************************************************************

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Re:EpiData-list Digest, Vol 59, Issue 4
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 06 Sep '08

06 Sep '08

Hi, Peter Thanks for your help. We are using Java as the primary language in the project. It seems that you also try to do a job like that. We will contribute the Java code to the community if possible :) 2008-09-06，epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca wrote： >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. Re: Where can I get the file format's specification for both > .qes and .rec files? (epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca) > 2. Help needed (epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca) > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Message: 1 >Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:09:12 -0400 >From: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >Subject: Re: [EpiData-list] Where can I get the file format's > specification for both .qes and .rec files? >To: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >Message-ID: <48C03258.5050708(a)ix.netcom.com> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=x-gbk > >The .REC files are described in the pdf document Data File Structure: >http://www.epidata.dk/php/downloadc.php?file=epidata_datafile.pdf > >What language do you plan to use to re-organize all of this? > >Peter Geddes >geddes(a)ix.netcom.com > >epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca wrote: >> Hi, >> >> I am working on a goverment project in which we have to handle about 3000 EPIData files. Different fields exist in different files and the same field's names are not extract matched among files such as age0 and ageForFirstTime. >> >> Obviously, it takes too much human resources to merge those files and we want to develop a program to do the job. And we have to know the file format for both .qes and .rec files. >> >> Does anyone knows where we can get the specification for those files? >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> EpiData-list mailing list >> EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >> http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list >> >> >> > > >------------------------------ > >Message: 2 >Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 14:07:55 +0100 >From: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >Subject: [EpiData-list] Help needed >To: >Message-ID: > >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > >I am new to epi-data analysis. I set up a test file called test.csv to >practice. However, I am getting the following message. Any advice would >be appreciated: > > > >Access is denied > >Operation aborted > >Separators: (tab: 0)(semicolon: 0)(comma: 0)(space: 0) Lines: 1 > >Cannot define number of variables > >.. check data file - cannot open.. > >Operation aborted > >Operation aborted > >Separators: (tab: 0)(semicolon: 0)(comma: 0)(space: 0) Lines: 1 > >Cannot define number of variables > >.. check data file - cannot open.. > >Operation aborted > >Operation aborted > > > > > >----------------------------------------- >************************************************************************** >The information contained in the EMail and any attachments is >confidential and intended solely and for the attention and use of >the named addressee(s). It may not be disclosed to any other person >without the express authority of the HPA, or the intended >recipient, or both. If you are not the intended recipient, you must >not disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part >of it. This footnote also confirms that this EMail has been swept >for computer viruses, but please re-sweep any attachments before >opening or saving. HTTP://www.HPA.org.uk >************************************************************************** > >------------------------------ > >________________________________________ >EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca >http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list > > >End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 59, Issue 4 >*******************************************

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Where can I get the file format's specification for both .qes and .rec files?
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

Hi, I am working on a goverment project in which we have to handle about 3000 EPIData files. Different fields exist in different files and the same field's names are not extract matched among files such as age0 and ageForFirstTime. Obviously, it takes too much human resources to merge those files and we want to develop a program to do the job. And we have to know the file format for both .qes and .rec files. Does anyone knows where we can get the specification for those files?

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Mailing List
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

Sir, Please include my email in the mailing list Olaniyan, M.A madeolaniyan(a)gmail.com

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"run error" in analysis test build 145/46 fixed
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

The error mentioned on the list of "graph dialog and "run" has been fixed. For this reason a new build 147 is now on the test site. Usually we will not put out this many builds, but since the dialogs are a crucial part of the testing I decided to do so. Regarding the other comment : "2. Correlation coefficient “r” information needs some face lift. Can the coefficient of determination, r2 that is the measure of meaningfulness of “r “ is provided?" I can only agree. The whole linear regression and correlation part will be rewritten, but I do not expect this to happen before early 2009. Some issues in relation to translation are being worked upon. V2.1 will not be released in general before these are settled. Kind regards Jens Lauritsen

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copying data btw. file levels in related entry (type comment)
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Pedro wrote: "The first problem here is that the field name can not automaticaly be inserted in the projectresult.rec, such as with TYPE COMMENT. " There is a way to transfer data which could then be added as shown in the samples with EpiData Entry, - house-person-visit, where name and status of each person is transferred and shown on the screen next to the entry field. In the visit.chk file: (notice global) BEFORE FILE DEFINE varNAME _________________________________ GLOBAL DEFINE varAGE ### GLOBAL DEFINE varSEX _ GLOBAL DEFINE varILL _ GLOBAL HELP "Please enter names etc. for all persons living in \n \n @varADDRESS \n @varCITY" END in the visit.chk: BEFORE FILE define info _________________________________________________ END Before record * these come from the person file: let info = varNAME + " Age: " + varAGE + " Sex: " + varSEX + " Ill: " + varILL end VISIT BEFORE ENTRY type "@info" END END The same technique could take your name entered at an upper level and saved also in the next level. (instead of the "type" here) regards Jens Lauritsen EpiData Association

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I think a found a bug
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Jens, I think a found a bug. I was having a difficult time to look at a simple dataset at Stata to control patients inclusion. After several try outs and different sorts, I found that some dates were changed. That is... paciente that recruited in june had dates in july, some that were at the 25aug2008 were shown as 1aug2008. At first, I tought that was typing error. Than I checked one by one and most of it were correct at the epidata dataset but wrong in the stata dataset. Thereofre I think there is something wrong in the export tool to stata format. Later I will try other ways, and softwares of export data to see if the same dates keep coming wrong. Did anyone have any experience like this? Also I found yesterday that EpiData does not import from Stata 10, only Stata9/8. Any update soon? -- Abraço forte e que a força esteja com você, Pedro Emmanuel

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Epi Analysis test release 146 (2nd Sept) - Few suggestions
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Dear Jens, It is heartening to see that the development of Epidata Analysis is continuing at rapid pace. Few suggestions; 1. The graphs have been disabled. None of graph dialog box is opening. 2. Correlation coefficient r information needs some face lift. Can the coefficient of determination, r2 that is the measure of meaningfulness of r is provided? It is only a square of r, one might say, but multiple r2 calculations from one database can be cumbersome. EPI6 was providing both r and r2 with 95% confidence intervals also. 3. Epi Analysis development is hard work but you are fast approaching the release of a wonderful product that will be far better then EPI6 while preserving its full functionality. With regards, Shavinder Singh

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Re: EpiData-list Digest, Vol 58, Issue 10
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Dear EpiData friends, I figure out a workaround for my problem at last, the only problem now is that my partner has a preference in typing the name of the patient two or three time then to work with the solution. To remind: Im typing data from patients in which each colects 3 blood samples so my qes looks something like: identifier #### name<A > samplenumber # result # Assuming that my patients will be inserted in the data file three times each, I wanted to avoid differences in the typing of the names, such as missing letter or middle names comes in one record but not in the other. so the solution was: projectID.qes identifier #### name<A > projectID.chk identifier key unique end name key relate identifier projectresult.rec end projectresult.qes identifier #### samplenumber # result # projectresult.chk identifier key 1 Autosearch list identifier END The first problem here is that the field name can not automaticaly be inserted in the projectresult.rec, such as with TYPE COMMENT. By consequence, later I will have to merge the two files side by side to have the name of the patient or other id fileds in the results file (not very difficult but not automatic). The work around to see the name while typing is to tile the related windows horizontaly, then one can see the name and the number of the patient at the top of the screen and the data at the botton at the same time. The second problem is that autosearch does not work in the child file. It is necessary to navigate (F7 or F8) by the (few) records of each patient to reach a new empty record for that patient, and at last, for some unknown reason my partner, who is typing the data, likes better to work only with one screen. The idea of pressing F8 to find a new record and F10 each end of child record to return to the parent record did not seem to be atractive. Maybe Jens could consider a "autocomplete" check command for string fileds for a future update of EpiData entry. Best regards for all, Pedro Brasil 2008/8/30 <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. Re: Repeat values in other records > (epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:18:53 +0200 > From: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Subject: [EpiData-list] Re: Repeat values in other records > To: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Message-ID: <48B883DD.7010603(a)epidata.dk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > "I looked for in several chk commands but didnt figure out a solution > yet. Isit possible, when the cursor is at the name field and a type > "Mary", EpiData shows all the "Mary" already in the rec file, so I could > pick one of them ....." > > Look in helpfile for EpiData Entry under "Autosearch" > AUTOSEARCH > Autosearch is a look-up function that checks the remaining data file for > records with certain data. Look-up can be defined to be on one field or > a combination of several fields. > > Let us know on the list your solution - and experiences > > Regards > Jens Lauritsen > EpiData Association > > > ------------------------------ > > ________________________________________ > EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list > > > End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 58, Issue 10 > ******************************************** >

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New EpiData Analysis ready for test - again
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Some problems with menu dialogs showed up in b145 which made me release b146 today of EpiData Analysis. The main difference from yesterday (b145) is changes to CIPLOT dialog. But unfortunately today we have discovered a number of problems with the dialogs as well in b146: "RUN" button does not work - use "execute" instead. means dialog takes wrong variables to the command line For some graphs the x and y texts are missing. The main problem this shows is that in addition to the batch testing which we do on estimates etc. some principle of testing user interface should be added. Another issue reported is very small font size in printing. If someone have experienced this let us know - in particular if there is a solution regards Jens Lauritsen EpiData Association

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input data in selected fields
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

i would suggest the following procedure: 1. create a data entry file with all fields and add your checks for 81-85 2. HIDE all fields except 81-85 3. JUMP to 81 after opening a record 4. AUTOSAVE after 85 hope this helps, Markus epidata-list-request(a)lists.umanitoba.ca schrieb am 25.08.2008 19:08: > 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. input data in selected fields (epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:47:48 -0500 > From: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Subject: [EpiData-list] input data in selected fields > To: epidata-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > Message-ID: <200808251556.m7PFu8PX002301(a)tunku.uady.mx> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed > > Dear members in the list > > I have a database with about 2000 records, each > one with 90 fields. I want to input information > that is missing in fields 81 to 85. I would like > to use an entry screen that shows me only field > 81 to 90. This is because I have a chk file that > has command that produce information in fields 86 > to 90, based on the information I input in fields 81 to 85. > Is it possible to do that to make a simplified > entry screen to use only a fraction of the fields in the data base? > I will appreciate your help > > Jose > Mexico > > > Dr. Jose Arturo Farfan Ale > Centro de Investigaciones Regionales > "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi" > Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán > Av. Itzáes por 59, num. 490 > Mérida, Yucatán, México 97000 > Tel: (999) 923-22-74 > (999) 924-57-55 > Fax: (999) 923-61-20 > > > > ------------------------------ > > ________________________________________ > EpiData-list(a)lists.umanitoba.ca > http://lists.umanitoba.ca/mailman/listinfo/epidata-list > > > End of EpiData-list Digest, Vol 58, Issue 7 > ******************************************* >

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New EpiData Analysis ready for test
by epidata-list＠lists.umanitoba.ca 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Just uploaded: Version 2.0.5 build 145 Release candidate for v2.1 * Extended or adapted function o lifetable :New command for life tables and Kaplan Meier plots o New syntax for compact tables: tab outcome variables /ct [/OA /O /RR] o Uniform syntax for lifetable, epicurve, compact tables, ciplot cmd outcome ..... The outcome variable is the first one o Uniform options for No Confidence Interval: /NOCI (lifetables, ciplot) o SPC charts: to exclude information on central values: /NCVI o More table headers in control of user, see: set table ct ..., set lifetable header ... * Bugs fixed o /c=xxx can now be used for value labels with string variables o percent signs cannot be used in lines with a comment * o Sorting tables now correct in dialogs and /fv tables o Table dialog for Pareto corrected to take string variables o Extra lines on graph PNG files removed (bottom and right side) o other bugs fixed See full information on the testing and analysis version files referenced on Http://www.epidata.dk/testing.php A decision has been made to include lifetables and Kaplan Meier plots in next release (v2.1). Please test this in the just uploaded build. The command accepts two different syntax forms: lifetable outcome time lifetable outcome startdate enddate We are still clarifying some aspects of translation, which necessitates postponing v2.1 release. Another issue being investigated just now is the possibility to include new SPC graph types. The main objective for v2.1 release is that after release a major rebuild will take place of structures not updated since the very first analysis parts and also allow for user defined add-on modules. regards Jens Lauritsen EpiData Association

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