Module Four : Homework

The Module Four Homework assignment is to download, import, and analyze a New York State database using Epi Info. The results of your analysis will then be used to answer a series of questions which you will submit to your instructor for grading. The database we will be analyzing in this assignment was excerpted from the New York State Department of Health's web site.

Detailed Instructions

1. Download and save the file mod4.rec
   Do this by right-clicking the link to mod4.rec and choosing "Save Link As.." or "Save Target As.." on the resulting pop-up menu. Give the file a name and save it to a convenient location (for Epi Info 6.04 users this should be your default directory or C:\EPI6)
   
   
2. Import mod4.rec into Epi Info
   Open Epi Info. Go to the "Analysis" section and use the READ command to import the REC file you just downloaded. If you are unsure of which commands to use please consult the Epi Info users manual, click the HELP button, or click the HELP menu.
   
   
3. Conduct your analysis and answer the questions below
   (see below)
   
   
4. Attach your answers to an email and send it to your instructor for grading

Dataset Description
Here is a description of the file "mod4.rec". This file is in Epi Info 6 record format (.rec) which stores data and database formatting information. Both Epi Info 6.04 and Epi Info 2000 can read and analyze files of this type. There is one record for each county, showing the following variables:

1. County: county name
2. Totalbirth: total number of births in the county, 1997
3. Totalcs: total number of C-sections
4. White: total number of births to white women
5. Black: total number of births to black women
6. Racemissin: total number of births missing race information
7. Modemissin: Mode of delivery missing
8. Csmisspct: Percent of births missing C-section status
9. Ramisspct: Percent of births missing race information

Questions to be Answered
Answer the following questions email your responses to your instructor or teaching assistant. If you require further assistance completing this assignment please contact your Teaching Assistant.

1. What county has the highest % of women who are missing C-section information?
2. Across all counties, what is the average county percent of records missing C-section information?
3. What county has the highest % of women who are missing Race information?
4. Across all counties, what is the average county percent of records missing Race information?
5. What five counties have the highest percentages of missing C-section information?
6. What five counties have the highest percentages of missing Race information?
7. Compare your results from #5 and #6. What do you notice? Is there any relationship between county and missing information? If so, what do you think might explain this relationship?