Activities by strategy  Strategy 1 - Harmonisation of health data needs and development of adequate surveillance systems, including operational research
Strategy 2 - Development of relevant computer applications Strategy 3 - Adaptation of field epidemiology and public health surveillance training programmes to local and regional needs Strategy 4 - Promoting the use of e-mail, opening the network to new clients, new services and other networks Strategy 5 - Publication of health information bulletins, technical studies, applied research findings, monographs, information on resources available in the network, etc. Strategy 2 - Development of relevant computer applications EpiInfo 6 EpiInfo 6 software, presented at the Pacific Islands Meeting on Public Health Surveillance in December 1996, is very suitable for surveillance. It is a public domain software promoted by both WHO and CDC. The previous versions of EpiInfo have been quite popular amongst computer literate health professionals. This background, together with the existence of an e-mail discussion list for solving problems and sharing hints, makes it an excellent tool for data storage and analysis and report making. Training in EpiInfo 6 has been carried out by SPC and FSM (as part of the public health training). SPC has also provided distance assistance for EpiInfo 6 applications developed in the Pacific Islands. Other softwares The choice of EpiInfo 6 is not exclusive: other computer applications are also relevant for surveillance activities. As Microsoft software packages are commonly used all through the Pacific, Microsoft Access and Excel are a good choice as well. Moreover, computer-based training is available on CD for both Access and Excel. EpiData is also a suitable database software. The relatively new, Windows-based EpiInfo software "Epi 2000" had still quite a few defects and bugs. In the context of the PPHSN, the use of Epi 2000 is not yet recommended. The newer Epi Info 2002 seems more promising but has yet to be tested in the region. [Back to the top] | 
