Entering and Analysing Data

Entering and Analysing Data

Data entry

Data should be double-entered (that is, entered twice) to avoid errors. Alternatively, use software such as Epi Info™, which combines data entry with validation.
Consider the following points regarding data entry (next page):

Data entry, continued

• 
  Even if you use a data entry edit programme, data still need to be carefully checked before analysis.
  
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  A simple frequency tabulation can be run after data are entered to re-check for implausible values.
  
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  Other ways to ensure correct data entry include:
  

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  placing a tick or cross on forms once they have been entered
  
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  printing out data in the form of a table to check whether the data are logical (for example, women should not be reported with urethral discharge).
  

Data analysis

In third-generation HIV surveillance, STI case reporting is used as a proxy for HIV transmission. This is because STIs are transmitted in the same way as sexually transmitted HIV and because programmes that target prevention of sexually transmitted HIV should also prevent transmission of STIs. Several STI syndromes quickly manifest in symptoms and can represent recently acquired infection. These may indicate trends in HIV incidence as well. Surveillance of the main STI syndromes—male urethral discharge syndrome, female vaginal discharge, male non-vesicular genital ulcer disease and female non-vesicular genital ulcer disease—can, therefore, serve two functions:

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  indicate where HIV transmission could be occurring (for instance, a geographical area or a population group)
  
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  indicate where HIV prevention programmes are failing (if the rates of STIs are rising) or succeeding (if the rates of STIs are falling).
  

The analysis of STI data usually takes place at the national level at the epidemiology or surveillance unit where analysis of surveillance data on all priority diseases is done. Collaboration between this unit and the HIV/STI control programme is essential. Analyse data by these categories to identify the sites that are not reporting consistently:

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  reporting site
  
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  type of facility
  
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  district/parish/county
  
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  gender
  
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  age group
  

Also, analyse data separately for each syndrome (if syndromic case reporting is conducted) or for each disease (if aetiologic case reporting is conducted).

Table 6.7. Types of STI data analysis.

Type of analysis	Description
By person	annual analysis of data to show trends in specific syndromes in the case of aetiologic surveillance, diseases stratified by age group and gender
By place	analysis to provide information about where clustering of disease might be occurring and any inferences that can be made stratified analysis by region or geographical area to show if there are significant differences between places
By time	analysis to detect if there are any trends in reports over time and if any inferences can be made (for example, incidence increasing or decreasing) data for a specific quarter should be compared with the same quarter in the previous year

Discussing

the table

Looking at Table 6.7, answer the following questions:

1. 
   Does analysis by person allow you to track STI trends in specific age groups? How would this aid HIV prevention programmes?
   

2. 
   Does analysis by place allow you to detect any trends in reports over time? How would this aid HIV prevention programmes?
   

Interpreting

trends

Be careful when you are interpreting STI trends. Interpretation of trends should not be made outside the context of STI control programmes or the healthcare system. In order to accurately interpret STI trends, you must think about the following factors:

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  factors related to health-seeking behaviour, such as opening of additional healthcare facilities, availability or unavailability of medications or introduction of user fees
  
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  factors affecting reporting practises, such as changes in staffing or training of the staff handling case reporting and data
  
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  changes in case definitions or quality of services.
  

If there are unexpected fluctuations, officers at the national or regional level should investigate by contacting the sites.

site data

The magnitude of STIs by category and trends should help in drawing preliminary conclusions about the burden of STIs.
At all levels of analysis, the data should be clearly summarised in tables, graphs or charts, so they are easily understood. In this way, trends or patterns are identified.
In summary

Surveillance data collection occurs at the health facility level, while data processing takes place at the sub-national and national levels. It is extremely important to ensure patient confidentiality. STI data analysis should generally focus on three parameters: person, place or time.