Epi Tools Everyone Can Use Emily Mosites, MPH Alice Green, DVM Katie Garman, MPH
Objectives Review concepts from regional outbreak training Line list Resources for outbreaks Demonstrate use of statistical software to develop Epi-curve Symptom profile 2x2 tables (OR, RR) Data management/ analysis tips
Regional Outbreak Training Objectives Provide Regional Health Departments with tools to investigate clusters and outbreaks Today: foodborne diseases Concepts are generalizable Promote collaboration and understanding between epidemiologists/CEDS staff, environmentalists, and laboratorians “Epi-Ready” model
Foodborne illness investigations The “Stool” Foodborne illness investigations Lab Epidemiology Environmental
Foodborne illness investigations Epi Tools Foodborne illness investigations Lab Epidemiology Environmental
Tools Many tools you can use Today’s focus Excel SAS EpiInfo
Compile a Line list: Excel
Data Entry Tips Blank does not equal “No” Single-word variable name Use 1= yes & 0= no OR 1=yes & 3=no Proper alignment to calculate RR
Analysis in Excel
Why Excel? If you don’t want to start having dreams in SAS code If you have never heard of EpiInfo If you find yourself doing analysis in the middle of the woods with only Microsoft ® Office™ USE EXCEL!!!
Overview Summarizing Data with PivotTables RR, OR, and Chi Squares Test Page Incubation period and EpiCurve We will send you an excel workbook with these formulas and explanations!
Why use SAS in an outbreak investigation? It’s powerful Fisher’s exact Easy to screen large numbers of variables It’s subsidized by CDC It’s fun!! Embrace your dorkiness
Fisher’s Exact Test
Meal Date (exposure)
Illness Onset Date
End Illness Date
Why use Epi-Info (Version 3.5.1) Easy Point and click Rapid questionnaire development Simple commands Accessible available anywhere at anytime at www.cdc.gov FREE
www.cdc.gov/epiinfo
Click on analyze data
Click on Read (Import)
Select the correct data format Find your file
Make sure all of your records have been imported
Start looking at your data
Type “=1” to select those who were sick Select your variable
List Select your variable Sick = 1 is selected To unselect click on cancel select
Create symptom profile using frequency command
Frequencies Stratify by sick Select your variables
Symptom Profile
Develop an epi curve using the graph command
Select Bar Graph Choose onset date
Calculating relative risk or odds ratio using the tables command
Remember… In order to calculate RR well 1 ill BBQ 15 20 No BBQ 5 1 ill 1= yes 3= no well 1 ill BBQ 15 20 No BBQ 5 1 ill 3 well BBQ 20 15 No BBQ 5 RR= 15/(15+20) = 0.53 20/(20+5) RR= 20/(20+15) = 2.85 5/(5+20)
Add exposure variable Add outcome variable
BBQ Chicken
Sweet Tea
Resources for Outbreaks
Modifiable gastrointestinal outbreak questionnaires http://health.state.tn.us/ceds/resources.htm Modifiable gastrointestinal outbreak questionnaires Sample databases
Thank you! Connie Robinson and staff Rand Carpenter John Dunn
Questions 615-741-7247 Emily: Emily.Mosites@tn.gov Alice: Alice.Green@tn.gov Katie: Katie.Garman@tn.gov 615-741-7247