       Document 0682
 DOCN  M9610682
 TI    A national computer-based surveillance system for tuberculosis
       notification in Singapore.
 DT    9601
 AU    Snodgrass I; Chew SK; Communicable Disease Centre, Ministry of Health,
       Singapore.
 SO    Tuber Lung Dis. 1995 Jun;76(3):264-70. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96014897
 AB    SETTING: The notification rate of tuberculosis (TB) among residents in
       Singapore has been declining at a mean rate of 5.6% per annum, from 307
       cases per 100,000 population in 1960 to 54 cases per 100,000 population
       in 1992. A National TB Notification Registry was set up in 1958 using a
       manual card system, and was captured into a computer database from 1986.
       OBJECTIVE: To monitor epidemiological trends of TB in Singapore with
       more speed, versatility and analytical capabilities, a new
       microcomputer-based surveillance system was developed in 1993. DESIGN:
       The main software programmes used in this system were DBase IV (version
       1.5) and Epi Info (version 5). These versions could use base memory
       interchangeably and were therefore incorporated into a single
       application DBase programme. Security features were incorporated into
       the programme. The TB database was linked to the National HIV
       Notification Registry to enhance surveillance of combined TB and human
       immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV). RESULTS: The system was able to
       track notifications and TB culture results, address letters and analyze
       data and enabled prompt dissemination of information. CONCLUSION: The
       authors believe that this system would enhance surveillance and provide
       timely information for national TB control programmes. However, the
       effectiveness of this system is dependent on an established notification
       structure with notifications for tuberculosis of sufficient
       completeness.
 DE    Database Management Systems  Databases, Factual  Disease
       Notification/*METHODS  Human  Singapore/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Tuberculosis,
       Pulmonary/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

