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Computer
and Data Unit
Introduction
Statistics and Data Management unit works in close collaboration with projects
and other IHRDC units. The unit is
one of the Scientific Support components for IHRDC and is responsible for
planning and implementing data management activities.
In particular, the unit is responsible in managing data flow from field,
Lab, and St. Francis Hospital; data entry, cleaning and analysis.
Activities
IHRDC
hosting a number of projects with big volume of data to require strengthened
data management team in terms of staff and equipment.
Among the activities covered by the unit includes assistance in designing
data collection tools and conducting data collection.
The main work being editing forms, double entering data and
cross-checking procedures, validating data and testing for consistency.
During the reporting period, the unit processed the data of various
projects ie. IC-DSS, KiAne, KITUPA ,IMPACT, IMCI ,etc.
Personnel
During
the reporting period, the unit had a team of 13 people; two BSc. (Statistics)
one currently undertaking Msc in Medical Informatics, and several
diploma/certificates in computer and data management knowledge.
The team is of high capacity and has a long experience in data
management.
Data Entry in progress.
Hardware
and Software
During
the reporting period, the unit has of total of 14 working computers; including,
two master computers (database server and e-mail server) and working stations
for data entry activities. 9 computers are connected to the internet.
All computers are protected by the use of UPS.
In order to ensure high quality output, the unit has a powerful data management
system, which smoothly facilitates the double entry procedure and all checks for
validity, range and consistency.
In
particular the unit is using Fox Pro (DOS/Windows) for data management.
SPSS, STATA, MICROSOFT ACCESS and EPI INFO are also widely used for
further checks and analysis.
Systematic backup of the two master
computers is done daily( for the Data Base Server)
weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly
by the use CD writer system .
The VSAT System
In September 2000, Ifakara centre was connected to the Internet by use of VSAT
(Very Small Aperture Terminal) System and joined the MIMCOM network. NIH
sponsors the system for the next two years since September 2000.
With VSAT System, the Centre is always
connected to the Internet and now scientists have access to Journals and other
scientific materials required for their daily research work.
With the available equipments, we can
offer the following services
-Net meeting
-Video and Voice conferencing
-Computer to phone and Computer to computer phoning
The VSAT Indoor Unit:
C-5, Rooter and E-mail Sever.
Also with our e-mail server, we are providing have e-mail services to IC
Employees, ST. Francis Hospital, and the DMO’s office.
Training
DOS and
other applications software tutorials were regularly given to the Centre’s
data clerks. One Assistant Data
Manager attended computer course in Diploma Course in Computer Studies and
managed to get the diploma, in 1999. Also in December 2000 one Assistant Data
Manager attended the Health Map training workshop conducted at UCLAS in Dar es
Salaam. And one Data Manager started MSc in Medical Informatics studies in
August 2000 to August 2001.
Statistics
and Data Management Unit started to offer computer classes for staff from within
IHRDC and other institutions covering elementary knowledge on operating system (MS
DOS/Windows 95/98), spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel 95/97/2000), word processing
(Microsoft Word 95/97/2000) and database (FoxPro-Dos Version).
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