Surveillance of communicable diseases using a computer database of reported cases]

Epidemiology services during the surveillance of communicable diseases collects of different sorts of data, which are used for an analysis of epidemiologic situation. Those data are the starting point for timeline control and preventive activities. Data processing of notified communicable diseases cases provides information on types of diseases, number of cases, time and place of their occurrence. Manual data processing, used till 1993, was slow, unreliable and considerably decreased the efficiency of epidemiology service activities. In this paper we have set the hypothesis that is possible to form a computerized database with the following aims: to form user friendly computerized database model for those without knowledge in using computers: to get output spread sheets with information needed for epidemiologic situation analyses at any time. Database was developed in 1993 and has been used as source of the information in epidemiologic diagnosis process. The significant accuracy, reliability, timelines, and shortening of the time of data processing was achieved. The database can also serve as the initial component for designing an epidemiologic services information network in Belgrade county. In designing such a network it is necessary to form the additional databases of isolated infectious agents and their drug resistance, database of health status of persons under surveillance and database of environmental and sanitary condition in children and youth facilities.