is a computer software which performs nutritional calculations on
EPIINFO
files ( *.REC ) created with EPIINFO version 3, 4 and 5. It uses the turbo pascal procedure JCS2ZC from the unit MEASURE.PAS supplied by the C.D.C. (Atlanta) to calculate Z-Scores, Percentages of median and Percentiles. Epinut can be used interactively, or in batch mode using command
parameters.
Nutritional indices can be
added
variables
to an existing RECfile. The file can then
analyzed
in EPIINFO version 5 or 6, or within EPINUT.
EPINUT ANALYSIS
shows graphs and distribution tables for the created indices. Nutritional indicators are calculated along with their
confidence
intervals
calculated for random and cluster sampling. Graphs can be
exported
to graphic packages using an
ASCII
delimited
format
ASCII
comma
delimited
Here is an example of an
ASCII
comma delimited file generated by Epinut when exporting graphic data. It contains 4 series (3 commas per line). The first serie code for the X axis labels, the 2nd for sexes combined, the 3rd for boys and the 4th for girls. The first line codes for the labels of the series. x
,Reference,Sex Combined,Boys,Girls
-4.75,0,0,0
-4.75, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
-4.25, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
-3.75, 0.02, 0.7, 0.5, 0.9,
-3.25, 0.10, 0.7, 1.5, 0.0,
-2.75, 0.45, 3.3, 3.9, 2.8,
-2.25, 1.59, 7.4, 8.4, 6.5,
-1.75, 4.31,16.4,16.7,16.1,
-1.25, 9.13,19.0,19.2,18.9,
-0.75,15.06,19.3,17.7,20.7,
-0.25,19.33,15.2,12.8,17.5,
0.25,19.33,10.7,10.8,10.6,
0.75,15.06, 4.5, 5.9, 3.2,
1.25, 9.13, 2.1, 1.5, 2.8,
1.75, 4.31, 0.2, 0.5, 0.0,
2.25, 1.59, 0.2, 0.5, 0.0,
2.75, 0.45, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
3.25, 0.10, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
3.75, 0.02, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
4.25, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
4.75, 0.00, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
4.75,0,0,0
Command
parameter
Epinut can be driven from instructions passed to the program on the
The first command line parameter should be the name of an Epi Info data file. The .REC extension is optional. Additional parameters are optionnal and stand for the name of the variables coding for the AGE, SEX, WEIGHT, and HEIGHT. If no values are specified, EPINUT assumes that "AGE", "SEX", "WEIGHT", and "HEIGHT" are the name of these variables. These parameters allow a batch processing of files (BATCH files from DOS).
Adding
indices
Indices will only be added to Epi Info data files. Other file format should be converted first to Epi Info format, using the IMPORT.EXE module. Epi Info files from version 3 to 6 are supported. Calculation of nutrition indices requires
certain
variables
to be present in a file. At least, the sex plus either the weight or the height and optionally the age are needed. Calculations are performed only for records with values for these variables falling in a
given
range. u
Only relevant indices will be calculated, according to the variables indicated in the dialog box. The file after conversion keeps the name of the original file. However, a backup copy of the original file is created with an
extension. Look for this file if anything gets wrong while converting a file and rename it with a .REC extension to restore the original file. ?
Calculated indices according to variables found in the file:
The age, sex, weight, and height are necessary in a
certain
format, for these calculations. (
Each index can be expressed in 3 ways:
Z-score
Z
Percentile
P
Percentage of median
M
A total of 9 indices can thus be calculated: p
WAZ HAZ WHZ
WAP HAP WHP
WAM HAM WHM
Weight
Technique for measuring and recording weight:
A 25 kg hanging spring scale graduated by 0.100 Kg is used. The scale is hooked to a tree, a tripod or to a stick held by two people. The weighing pants are suspended from the lower hook of the scale, and the scale is readjusted to zero. The child's clothes are removed and the child is placed in the weighing pants. The pants then hang freely from the hook. In cold countries or in certain cultures it might be impossible to undress a child. The average weight of the clothes should be evaluated and deducted from the measure. When the child is steady, the weight is recorded to the nearest 100 grams, the frame of the scale being at eye level. 2
If the child is moving and the needle does not stabilize, the weight should be estimated by recording the value situated at the mid-point of the range of oscillations. The measurer announces the value read on the scale, the assistant repeats it for verification and writes it down on the collecting form.
Every morning the scale should be checked against a known 10 kg weight. If the measure does not match the weight, the scale is discarded and the springs must be changed.
Height
Techniques for recording height:
Children aged more than 2 years old are measured standing. Children less than 2 years old are measured lying down. If the age is difficult to assess, children of more than 85 centimeters are measured standing, those less or equal to 85 centimeters, lying down. Q
for children of more than 2 years, the measuring board is set up in place where there is room for movement. The child's shoes are removed. The child is placed on the measuring board, standing upright in the middle of the board. The child's ankles and knees are maintained firmly by the assistant while the measurer positions the head and the cursor. The child's head, shoulders, buttocks, knees and heels should be against the board. The measurer reads the measure to the nearest 0.1 centimeter. The assistant writes it down and repeats it and shows it to the measurer for checking.
for children of less than 2 years old, the measuring board is placed on the ground. The child is gently placed on the measuring board, looking straight up, feet against the cursor. The child must lie in the middle of the board. L
The assistant places his hands on the child's ears and positions the child's head against the board. The measurer places his hands on the child's ankles or knees. While maintaining the child's legs, he positions the cursor on the child's soles. He reads the measure. The remaining procedures are the same as for standing children.
When births are recorded or if immunization cards mentioning birth date are available,
determination
is simple. In that case, the date of birth is directly recorded on the form in order to avoid mistakes in calculating the age. If birth dates are not recorded, a local calendar of events is used. The mother is asked if the child was already born when events having affected the community have occurred. If that is not possible, children are included according to their height. Only children more than
centimeters and less than
centimeters tall will be selected.
Weight
index
weight/age
index expresses the weight of a child in relation with his age. However this index does not allow differentiation between two children of the same age and weight, one being tall and slim (wasting), the other shorter and heavier. This index is mainly used during MCH visits since it is a good way of assessing the nutritional evolution of a child through multiple visits.
Height
index
height/age
index expresses the height of a child in relation with his age. It reveals stunting at a given age, but does not allow discrimination between 2 children of the same age and height, one being slim (wasting) the other one being obese. This index reflects rather the past nutritional history of a child than his current nutritional status. It is mainly used to study chronic malnutrition.
Weight
Height
index
weight/height
index expresses the weight of a child in relation to his height. It reveals whether a child is slim or not but does not discriminate between 2 children of the same height and weight, one being older than the other, and maybe stunted. It is the index used to reveal the acute malnutrition called "wasting", meaning the malnutrition present at the time of the survey.
Expression
percent
median
This mode of expression requires knowing the median weight of the children of the reference population of the same length/height. The value of the median weight can be found in reference tables for each height by 0.5 cm. Calculation is simple: the observed weight is divided by the median weight and multiplied by 100 in order to be expressed as a percentage. <
Observed weight * 100 / Reference weight
For example, for a child of 80.5 cm weighing 9.6 kg, reference tables give a median weight of 10.9 Kg. The
weight/height
index expressed in percentage of median is: /
(9.6 * 100) / 10.9 = 88.1%
Expression
percentile
In the reference population, for a given height/length, the weight of children aged between 6 to 59 months is normally distributed. The 50th percentile is the weight which divides the distribution into two equal parts, 50% above, 50% below. It coincides with the median weight. One can define in a similar way the 10th percentile as being the weight under which 10% of the children of the reference population are situated (90% being above). In the survey sample, for a given height/length, one can express the weight of a child according to its position in the reference distribution. The various weight corresponding to the various percentiles are shown by the reference tables. 1
For example, for a child weighing 9.6 Kg and measuring 80.5 cm, the tables show weight values corresponding to the 5th percentile, the 3rd percentile as well as the deciles in the reference population. By reading the table the weight of the child can be expressed as corresponding to the 5th percentile. g
For the whole sample, one can determine the number and thus the proportion of children situated below a given percentile. When one says that in the sample 12% of the children were found as having an index below the 3rd percentile, it means that where 3% of the children from the reference population are found below this weight, 12% are found in the sample.
Expression
z-score
The expression in Z-score uses the standard deviation of the reference distribution for a given height/length as a unit. The
weight/height
index expressed in Z-score represents the difference between the observed weight and the median weight of the reference population expressed in standard deviation units: F
(Observed weight - Reference weight) / Standard deviation
Reference tables give the standard deviation and the median weight for each given height/length. This allows us to calculate for each child of the sample the value of his index expressed in Z-score. For example, for a child 80.5 cm and 9.6 kg, reference tables show a median weight of 10.9 Kg and a standard deviation of 0.870 Kg. Hence, his index expressed in Z-score is: ;
(9.6 - 10.9) / 0.87 = -1.5 z
Format
variables
The necessary variables for calculation of nutrition indices are as follows: @
The weight and the height should be expressed in metric units.
SEX: It can be either a numeric field, with 1 coding for boys and 2 for girls or a character field, M or m for boys, and F or f for girls. The size of the field is free. The name of the field has to be specified in the dialog box.
AGE: It must be a numeric field (integer or real), and expressed in months. Biologic age with one decimal digit as returned by Epi Info when using date operations are accepted.
WEIGHT: It must be a real field, expressed in kilograms, with one (or more) decimal digit. The size of the field is free. An integer field expressing the weight in kg would be accepted but is not recommended for nutritional index calculation.
HEIGHT: It must be a real field, expressed in centimeters, with one decimal digit. The size of the field is free. An integer field expressing the weight in cm would be accepted but is not recommended for nutritional index calculation. s
AGE, WEIGHT and HEIGHT entered in alphanumeric fields are recognized as well as long as they hold numeric values.
calculation
month
dates
If a survey a birth date and a visit date have been entered, biologic age in month with 1 decimal digit can be calculated in an Epi Info program (.PGM file) and added to the file by entering the following commands: s
DEFINE AGE ###.#
LET AGE=(VISITDATE-BIRTHDATE)/30.4375
* The difference of 2 dates return a value in days
* Divide by 30.4375 to convert in months
ERASE NEWFILE.REC
* Erase first the target file to avoid appending to the bottom of an
* existing file
ROUTE NEWFILE.REC
* Choose an appropriate name for the new file after erasing it
WRITE RECFILE
Limit
index
calculation
The algorithm for calculating indices comes from C.D.C., for ages expressed in month from
months for girls less than
tall, and up to
months
for boys less then
tall.
Criteria
flagging
record
The FLAG variable takes a value of 0 if indices are within acceptable range. A non-zero
value suggests an error in recording anthropometric measures, or when entering them in the computer. 3
The acceptable values for indices are as follows:
Index Minimum Maximum
HAZ -6.00 +6.00
WHZ -4.00 +6.00
WAZ -6.00 +6.00
In addition, the 2 following conditions should not be met: f
HAZ > 3.09 and WHZ < -3.09
HAZ < -3.09 and WHZ > 3.09
These default values can be altered in certain situations, such as very severe hunger situation where children exceeding these extreme values can be found.
Default
values
flags
Cut of values for flagging a record can be changed or reset to Epinut defaults Nothing in the file reflects this change except the value of the flag.
values
The FLAG variable taking into account previous limits return the following values:
VALUE HAZ WHZ WAZ SIGNIFICATION
_____________________________________________
0 All indices valid
1
HAZ outside range
2
WHZ outside range
3
HAZ and WHZ outside range
4
WAZ outside range
5
HAZ and WAZ outside range
6
WHZ and WAZ outside range
7
All indices outside range
When analyzing such a file, only unflagged records should be included. In an Epi Info program, the following single select statement will achieve this:
* Select WEIGHT FOR AGE only:
SELECT FRAC((FLAG DIV 4)/2)=0
* 4, in the expression FLAG DIV
* represent the value of the FLAG in the above table
* Select WEIGH FOR HEIGHT only:
SELECT FRAC((FLAG DIV 2)/2)=0
* Select HEIGHT FOR AGE only:
SELECT FRAC((FLAG DIV 1)/2)=0
Note: the FRAC function was introduced in Epi Info version 5.01b, dated 07/15/91 (ANALYSIS.EXE). Checks your version if it returns an error message.
Analysis
nutrition
indices
The dialog box asks for the variable coding for age and sex. Age can be let blank when analyzing weight/height indices only. In the similar way, WEIGHT or HEIGHT fields can left blank if analysis of HEIGHT for AGE or WEIGHT for AGE indices is to be carried out.
Age: Only children within the specified age range will be processed for analysis. The default values of 0 and 140 months can be overridden in the limits acceptable by the calculation routine.
You can specify whether to include only unflagged records according to the chosen index. In this case, various number of records will be displayed according to the index. If a FLAG variable is not found, all records are displayed (age and oedema selection criteria remaining valid). 6
Oedema: if an OEDEMA variable is found in the file, with 1 or Y coding for oedema, all records presenting oedema will be excluded from analysis based on the weight/height index, when the option is activated. Oedemas increase the weight of a child and may perturb weight for height and weight for age indices. /
Distribution
tables
graphs
are outputed.
Graphics
Percentile distribution is an histogram showing percentage of children found in each 10% class of percentiles. Z-score and percentage of median distribution graphs represent the
smoothed
frequency polygon. Distribution expected in the reference population are shown. Graph data can be
exported
ASCII
delimited
format. e
Four series are displayed: the reference population, both sexes combined, boys only and girls only.
Distribution
tables
Tables include frequency distributions, malnutrition indicators based on cutoff values, and characteristics of the distribution.
Frequency distributions:
Distributions are shown for
percentiles,
Z-scores, and
percents
median. Both sexes combined and sex specific index distributions are displayed in count values and percentages. The first column represent boys, the second girls, and the third both sexes combined. "
Cut off malnutrition indicators:
Percentage of children falling under a certain value of the given indicator are used as indicators of malnutrition. Two levels of cutoff values are used. They usually represent mild malnutrition and severe malnutrition. "
Characteristics of distribution: n
Characteristics of distribution are displayed for indices expressed in z-scores. The following are returned: L
Descriptive
analysis
Skewness
Kurtosis
Standardized
prevalence
Mean,
Median,
Normal distribution
Mean = Median
Standard deviation
-------
Skewness
Skewness is a measure of the symmetry of a frequency distribution. If there are greater number of variates to the right of the distribution, the distribution is said
positively skewed.
Symetric distributions present a skewness = 0. However, this does not necessary means that the distribution is normal owing to kurtosis. To test for normality, use a test for goodness of fit such as the one provided in Epitable. +
A normal distribution has a skewness = 0. 4
_ 2
((xi - x) )
Skewness =
with
M2 =
M2^3/2
n
_ 3
((xi - x) )
M3 =
n
Positively skewed distribution
Negatively skewed distribution
Kurtosis can be described as the peakedness of frequency distribution, although it may alternatively be regarded as as a measure of the extent of unimodality versus multimodality of the distribution. A
platykurtic
distribution has less variates in the classes near the modal value.
_ 2
((xi - x) )
Kurtosis =
with
M2 =
n
_ 4
((xi - x) )
M4 =
n
Platykurtic distribution
leptokurtic
distribution has more variates in the classes near the modal value.
Leptokurtic distribution
A normal distribution has a kurtosis =
Interval
confidence
Indicators are expressed with their confidence intervals for a random sampling, a cluster sampling with a design effect = 2 and with calculated
design
effect
if a variable called CLUSTER is found. 99 clusters as a maximum are accepted. Inter cluster variance is used for the calculation.
Percentile
distribution
Percentile distribution table is as follows: q
Percentiles are grouped by 5% class. Percentage of children below the third and the fifth percentile are shown.
Z-scores
distribution
Z-score distribution is displayed by 0.5z class. The following indices are calculated: the mean, median, standard deviation of Z-scores, percentage of children falling below -2 and -3 Z and the
standardized
prevalence
of z-scores (STDPRE).
STDPRE represents the percentage of children from the observed distribution (mean and SD of z-scores observed) falling outside the distribution of the reference population (mean=0, SD=1).
Percentage
median
distribution
Percentage of median distribution is displayed by 5% intervals, from 50% to 150% of the theoretical median. Percentage of children below 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% are shown at the left part of the table.
Exporting
ASCII
comma
delimited
Epinut exports data used to build graphs in ASCII comma delimited format. This format would in fact be recognized by most graphing packages. The extension is given according to the index: .HAZ, .WHP ..
This ASCII delimited file will contain 4 series: the first for reference population, the second one for sex combined, the third one for boys and the fourth one for girls. If it is imported through the three template files supplied with EPINUT, only the first two series will be activated. The 3 templates files might have to be modified in Harvard Graphics (and saved afterwards) because of the different palettes that are available in HG. Colors for the various series are pre-defined for the default palette.
Principles
sampling
If all individuals in a given population were surveyed, we would get a precise picture of the nutritional status of this population. An exhaustive survey of this type would be long, costly and difficult to carry out. This is why measures are recorded only on a sub-group of the population, called a sample, which "represent" the whole population. In fact, only children aged 6 to 59 months are included in the target population since it is this group which will best reflect the nutritional status of the population. Children in this age group are in a growing period, hence a modification of the availability of food will affect them first. It is in this sub-group that the sample is selected.
If the main objective of the survey is to compare two groups according to their nutritional status, two different surveys, one in each group, are required.
A good sample should be representative
. Random selection of subject is usually prefereed to achieve representativity. Results obtained from assessing a factor on a sample have a confidence
interval around their point estimate. Its range varies with the sample
size. '
Go to
calculation
sample
Representativity
sample
The representativity of a sample is essential. It is the prerequisite for extrapolation of results observed on the sample to the entire population. In order for a sample to be representative of the population, two criteria should be met: each individual should have an equal chance of being selected in the sample, and the selection of one individual should be independent of the selection of another individual.
Probability
Whenever a sample is drawn, an error risk exists, meaning the risk that the sample may not be truly representative of the population. In nutrition surveys, we accept an error risk of 5%. It means that we accept that in 5% of the surveys, results observed on the sample will not reflect the true nutritional status of the population. In other words, whenever an organization carries out 100 nutrition surveys, 5 of them will give a result not reflecting the true situation.
Precision,
confidence
interval
By carrying out measures on a sample of the population, we only get an estimation of what the results would be if they were carried out on the entire population. If a second sample is drawn out of the same population, slightly different results may be obtained just because of the variation of the children selected in the sample. The actual percentage of malnutrition in the entire population lies in a range around the observed value. The upper and lower limit of this range determines the confidence interval of the estimation. For example results will be expressed as follows: malnutrition rate = 13%
5%, meaning the confidence interval ranges from 8% to 18%. The size of the confidence interval is related to the error risk and the size of the sample.
Sample
The sample size is related to three factors: S
The expected precision: the greater the precision, the more people in the sample.
The error risk chosen: the smaller the risk, the more people in the sample. If the whole population is surveyed, the risk is null. In nutrition surveys, an error risk of 5% is accepted.
The expected prevalence: the nearer the expected proportion of children presenting malnutrition is to 50% the greater the size of the sample, for the same absolute precision. B
Furthermore, a fourth factor should be taken into consideration:
The available means: the ideal objective in determining the sample size is to have the highest precision for the smallest error risk. The limiting factor is the available means. How many children can reasonably be surveyed in a day? How many enumerators are available?...
In conclusion, measuring malnutrition on a sample gives values affected by a known and accepted margin of error. On the other hand it reduces the workload and allows surveys to be carried out in a short period of time.
Calculation
sample
When calculating the size of the sample the three factors previously defined intervene. The formula used is as follows:
n = sample size
z = parameter related to the error
risk, equals 1.96 (2) for an error
risk of 5%
p = expected prevalence of
malnutrition in the population,
expressed as a fraction of 1
q = 1 - p, expected proportion of
children not presenting
malnutrition, expressed as a
fraction of 1.
d = absolute precision, expressed as
a fraction of 1.
t is fixed to 1.96 (or 2) in this type of survey (corresponding to an error risk of 5%).
p and thus q (q=1-p) are estimated from previous surveys. The expected prevalence is always chosen closer to 0.5 (50%) in order to get a bigger sample size. Then, we are sure of getting at least the desired precision even if the measured prevalence is larger than the expected one. A short survey on 30 households can give an idea of the expected prevalence if no information is available prior to the survey.
d is a parameter that can be modified (t is constant, p is estimated). The factors which are considered in determining d are: the objectives of the survey, the expected prevalence and the available means.
If the main objective of the survey is to demonstrate a moderate difference in the nutritional status between two groups, or over a certain period of time, the precision will have to be better (see in bibliography: C
"Measures of the Modification of Nutritional Status", WHO, 1983).
Usually, in nutrition surveys, the expected prevalence ranges between 5% to 20%. The precision will have to be somehow proportional to the expected prevalence. For example, 10% precision for an expected prevalence of malnutrition of 10% will give an interval of confidence from 0% to 20%. No conclusion can be reached from such a survey. Refer to the next table in order to see how the precision affects the sample size for different levels of expected malnutrition.
Change
language
display
Epinut
Epinut can be configured in
French
English
and
Spanish
. by selecting the appropriate option in the menu. These options are saved when quitting the program.
Affiche
Epinut
Cette option modifie la langue utilis
e par Epinut pour afficher les menus, les fen
tres et les r
sultats. Le changement n'affecte pas les fen
tres d
es. L'option de langue est automatiquement sauv
e lorsque l'on quitte normalement Epinut.
English
Spanish
Displays
Epinut
English
This option modifies the language used by Epinut to display menu options, windows and results. The change does not affect already created windows. This option is automatically saved when Epinut is exited normally.
French
Spanish
Displays
Epinut
spanish
This option modifies the language used by Epinut to display menu options, windows and results. The change does not affect already created windows. This option is automatically saved when Epinut is exited normally.
French
English
This option changes the size of the help window and the editor window. The currently activated window toggles between full screen and default size.
Equivalent:
<F4> on the keyboard
[i] a mouse click on the top right box of the window frame
a double click on the frame of the window
Activate the following window in the order they were created. When the last window has been activated, the first one is activated again. !
Equivalent <F2> on the keyboard
Commands
commands
Editor
commands
Other
commands
Editor
commands
Editor,
Close
editor
Paste
Erase
Search/replace
sub-menu
Search
Replace
NextSearch
Other
miscellaneous
commands
Cursor commands :
Next character
Ctrl-S or ->
Previous character
Ctrl-D or <-
Next word
Ctrl-F or Ctrl ->
Previous word
Ctrl-A or Ctrl <-
Next line
Ctrl-X or up key
Previous line
Ctrl-E or down key
Scroll up
Ctrl-W
Scroll down
Ctrl-Z
Next screen
Ctrl-C or PgDown
Previous screen
Ctrl-R or PgUp
Block commands:
Begin block
Ctrl-K B or Shift arrow key
End block
Ctrl-K K
Copy block
Ctrl-K C
Move block
Ctrl-K V
Erase block
Ctrl-K Y or Erase
Other commands:
Toggles INS/OVR
Ctrl-V
Erase line
Ctrl-Y
Search
Ctrl-Q F
Replace
Ctrl-Q A
Next search
Ctrl-L
commands
About
Clear
desktop
shell
adjust
window
editor
Epinut
Epinut
Editor
Accesses commands for
saving
saving
the current Editor file and
closing
the Editor window.
Editor
Save the current displayed file in the editor under its name if any, or pops-up the
as...
window if no name were given yet.
current
Editor
as...
Displays a window in order to pick or to enter a name for saving the current editor file.
Close
current
Editor
Close the current editor, and prompts for saving the file if it was modified during the session.
current
Editor
A deletion on a line can be UNDO as long as the cursor was not moved. Blocks can be CUT,
copied
and
pasted
back into the document. A block can be
erased
deletion
cursor
location
A deletion on a line can be undone as long as the cursor was not moved.
deletion
editing
function
editing
function
Paste
editing
function
Erase
editing
function
editing
function
Erase the selected text from screen and copies it in the clipboard. Erased text can be
pasted
back in the document. h
deletion
editing
function
Paste
editing
function
Erase
editing
function
editing
function
Copies the selected text in the clipboard without erasing it from screen. The text can be
pasted
in the document at the location cursor. g
deletion
editing
function
Paste
editing
function
Erase
editing
function
Paste
editing
function
Copies the clipboard content at the cursor location. Clipboard contains the last block of text that was CUT or
copied
deletion
editing
function
editing
function
Erase
editing
function
Erase
editing
function
This command erases the current block, without sending a copy in the clipboard as CUT and COPY does. Erased block cannot be retrieve by PASTE.However, it can be retrieved by UNDO if the cursor was not moved.
Equivalent: Ctrl-Del ,
Ctrl-Y, erases the current line
Search
Editor
window
Strings of characters can be
searched
for in the document,
replaced
with new text, on the entire document or through the
search
command.
Start
search
This command displays the search configuration box where text to be searched for and search modalities can be specified.
Equivalent: Ctrl-Q-F (
Search
replace
search
Start
search/replace
This command displays the search/replace configuration box where text to be searched for and replacing text as well as search/replace modalities can be specified.
Equivalent: Ctrl-Q-A "
Start
search
search
search
Repeats next search or replace command with same criteria.
Equivalent: Ctrl-L
result
printer
This option sends the content of the current window to the printer on LPT1. If the printer is not on line, a message box pops-up and ask to correct the problem. "
Equivalent: - F5 on the keyboard
The setup options allows to choose the printer port: LPT1, LPT2 or LPT3, as well as the initialization string to be sent to the printer before a job. p
Printer commands are often refered to as ESCape commands, since most of them include the ESCape character. Epitable refers to the ESCape character as a \. Other character to be sent can be specified as literal, or as ASCII decimal codes if they follow a # sign. In this case, Epitable expect the following 3 characters to be the DECIMAL VALUE of the code to be sent. 6
Values for these codes are found in printer manuals. j
Exemple for an EPSON printer options can be selected by seting up the initialization string as follows.: d
Condensed printing: \#015
15 characters + 8 lines/inche: \g\0
Configuration
Epinut
Setup allows selecting the video
mode, the
printer
and printer initialization, the language used by Epitable as well as the level of alpha risk used when calculating confidence intervals. These settings may be saved when quitting the program.
Adjust
video
These options control video display: :
- monochrome
- black and white
- color
If color is the current video mode, 25 lines display mode and 43/50 mode are available for high resolution screens. It is only activated if a high resolution EGA or VGA screen is detected at start.
Survey
utilities
Generator
random
number
table
Generateur
random
numbers
Sample
calculation
Standardized
prevalence
calculation
Standardized
prevalence
The standardized prevalence represent the area of the observed distribution by z-score which falls outside the reference distribution. It is used as an indicator of malnutrition. V
The mean and the standard deviation of the observed distribution are needed. If both the upper and the lower standard deviation are known, both can be indicated and will be taken into account. If just the global standard deviation is known, then it should be entered in both fields. The standardized prevalence is expressed as a percentage. r
Mean should range between -4.0 and 0.0 standard deviations. Standard deviation should range between 0.0 and 4.0.
Reference: MORA J. O. , "A new method for estimating a standardized prevalence of child malnutrition from anthropometric indicators", in Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 67 (2): 133-142 (1989).
Random
number
table
This option generate a table of random numbers. Avalaible options include the number of digit of generated numbers, as well as the total number of number generated. F
Table is displayed in the editor where it can be edited and printed.
random
numbers
This option generate a list of random numbers ranging from a minimum to a maximum value. Drawing of these numbers can be with or without replacement. In the later case, duplicates are not allowed. F
Table is displayed in the editor where it can be edited and printed.
Design
effect
The design effect is the ratio of the variance with cluster sampling to the variance with simple random sampling. '
Variance with simple random sampling: a
p (1-p)
Var srs=
Variance with cluster sampling: n
(pi - p)
Var clust=
K (k-1)
Design effect (DE) is calculated for an unlimited number of clusters.
pi: proportion in cluster i
(pi - p)
p: global proportion
DE =
n: sample size
k(k-1) p (1-p)
k: number of clusters
The formula is applicable for clusters of same size and same probability of being drawn.
[Sampling Techniques for Evaluating Health Parameters in Developing Countries, A working paper, US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC Atlanta, GA 30333 pp: 7-8]
Quadratic
proportion
cluster
sampling
Parameters: Sample > Observed
Sample and Observed > 0
Design effect > 0
Fleiss Quadratic approximation adapted to take in account the design effect [DE]. The number of subject in the Fleiss formula is replaced by a new value [Nc], corresponding to the number of subject [n] divided by the design effect [DE]:
Nc = n / DE
__________________________
(2Nc*p+z
-1) - z
- (2+1/Nc) + 4p(Nc*q+1)
Pl =
2 (Nc + z
__________________________
(2Nc*p+z
+1) + z
+ (2-1/Nc) + 4p(Nc*q-1)
Pu =
2 (Nc + z
With z = 1.96 for
editor
This option creates a new editor window if none have been created yet. Only one editor window is allowed at a time. The option is disabled if an editor was previously created. An existing file can be chosen or a new file created.
Equivalent: .
The EDIT button of table windows sends results of the current window to the editor. If no editor window is currently active, a new window is created. If an editor window was previously created, it is activated and the current results are appended to the editing window at the current cursor position.
Editor
commands
Clear
desktop
Clears all windows on desktop starting with the most recent one. It prompts for
saving
the file in the current editor before closing it.
Epinut
Quits Epinut after asking for confirmation. Prompts for
saving
file in the current editor, if any, before closing.
shell
Leaves temporarily Epinut and gives control to the operating system. Type 'EXIT' to get back to Epinut.
About
This option displays an information screen about Epinut version 2.0.
This option displays the relevant block of help file according to the command activated. Context sensitive help is available, with hypertext options to scroll through the entire help file. Help is displayed in the language selected from the language option of the
Setup
menu option.
adjust
window
This option allows the user to move or adjust the size of a window on the desktop using the keyboard. The frame of the window changes upon activation. It becomes green on EGA/VGA screens. The arrow keys are used to move around a window; <Shift-Arrow keys> are used to change the size of a window. Move is active on all windows. Adjusting window size is only active on the Help window and the Editor window.
Nutrition
indices
calculator
This options caulates nutrition indices from values entered thruoght the keyboard. Age, sex, weight, and height are the values required to calculates all nutrition indices. As a minimum, sex, plus either weight and height, or weight and age, or height and age are required. If all variables are not present, only relevant nutrition indices are calculated.
Age should be expressed in decimal months. If both birth and visit dates are available, an age
calculator pops up when the age button is pressed. 7
All measuremants should be expressed in metric units.
Switch
monochrome
display
This option switches the display to monochrome mode. It will remain in effect when starting Epinut if the configuration is saved when exiting the program.
Switch
black
white
display
This option switches the display to black and white mode. It will remain in effect when starting Epinut if the configuration is saved when exiting the program.
Switch
color
display
This option switches the display to color mode. It will remain in effect when starting Epinut if the configuration is saved when exiting the program.
Screen
configuration
Screen display can be changed to monochrome, Black
white, or color. Color dispay can be set in 43
lines on EGA screens or 50
lines on VGA screens. 1
Screen setup can be saved when quitting Epinut.
Default
value
alpha
The default value of the Alpha risk (error risk) can be setup to 10.0%, 5.0%, 1.0%, 0.1% or 0.01%. This is used when calculating confidence intervals of proportion of malnourished children.
Configuration
printer
Port and initialisation string are configurable. b
Set up printer port and initialization string. Both options are saved when quitting the program. J
Setup strings for initialization of printers can be found in printer manuals. EIS accepts either the decimal code of the character, or the actual character. If an ASCII decimal code is used it should follow a \ character, and should include 3 digits. Such ASCII codes can be found in most operating system manuals. Many printer codes include the Escape character. This character cannot be entered as literal. It will be entered as \027 (meaning a decimal code corresponding to the 27th character of the standard ASCII table). Codes for the following printers are supplied as examples: k
Epson
RX Epson
LQ1500
LaserJet HP
ThinkJet
IBM
5182,
Proprinter IBM
QuietWriter
NEC
8023A Okidata
Microline
Okidata
Pacemark Star
Micronix
Gemini
Okidata
Compatible TI
Toshiba
P351,
P1350,
P1351
Epson
printers
Master reset \027@
Select compressed mode \015
Cancel compressed mode \018
Select 12 cpi \027M
Select 10 cpi \027P
Select expanded mode \014
Cancel expanded mode \020
Select letter quality mode \027x1
Select draft mode \027x0
Select proportional mode \027p1
Cancel proportional mode \027p0
Single space text \0272
Double space text \027J24
Epson
LQ1500
printer
Master reset \027@
Select compressed mode \027x0\015
Select expanded mode \027w\001
Select letter quality mode \027x1
Select 12 cpi \027M
Select 10 cpi \027P
Single space text \0272
Double space text \027\065\020
8 lines per inch \0270
LaserJet
printers
Portrait
Letter-size paper
60 lines per page
10 cpi \027E
16.66 cpi \027(s16.66H
66 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l7.27C
16.66 cpi \026&l7.27C\027(s16.66H
Legal-size paper (legal tray)
78 lines per page
10 cpi \027E
16.66 cpi \027(s16.66H
104 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l8D
16.66 cpi \026&l8D\027(s16.66H
Legal-size paper (manual tray)
78 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l84p2H
16.66 cpi \027&l84p2H\027(s16.66H
104 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l84p2h0o8D
16.66 cpi \026&l84p2h0o8D\027(s16.66H
Landscape
Letter-size paper
60 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l1O
16.66 cpi \027&l1O\027(s16.66H
66 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l1o5.45C
16.66 cpi \026&l1o5.45C\027(s16.66H
Legal-size paper (legal tray)
78 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l1O
16.66 cpi \027&l1O(s16.66H
104 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l1o5.45C
16.66 cpi \026&l1o5.45C\27(s16.66H
Legal-size paper (manual tray)
78 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l84p2h1O
16.66 cpi \027&l84p2h1O\027(s16.66H
104 lines per page
10 cpi \027&l84p2h1o5.45C
16.66 cpi \026&l84p2h1o5.45C\027(s16.66H
ThinkJet
printers
Select compressed mode \016
Select expanded mode \014
Select emphasized mode \027E
8 lines per page \0270
printers
Color printer, Color Jetprinter, Graphics, and Proprinter
Master reset \024
Select letter quality \027I2
Slect compressed mode \015
Cancel compressed mode \018
Select expanded mode \027W1
Cancel expanded mode \027W0
Select 12 cpi \027\058
Select skip-over perforation \027N(n)
Cancel skip-over perforation \027O
Single-space text \0272
Double-space text \027A24
8 lines per inch \027\048
QuietWriter
printers
Model 1 and 2
Select compressed mode \015\027\073\000
Select expanded mode \027\087\001
Double-space text \027\065\024\027\050
8 lines per inch \027\048
8023A
printer
Select compressed mode \027Q
Select 12 cpi \027E
Select 10 cpi \027N
Double-space text \027\092,T,48
Single-space text \027A
8 liners per inch \027B
Okidata
Microline
printer
Master reset \027\024
Select letter quality mode \027\049
Select compressed mode \029
Select 12 cpi \028
Select 10 cpi \030
Double-space text \027\037\057\048
Single-space text \027\054
8 lines per inch \027\056
Select expanded mode
Okidata
Pacemark
printer
Select letter quality mode \027\055
Select compressed mode \027\066
Select 12 cpi \027\065
Select 10 cpi \027\054
Double-space text \027\037\057\048
Single-space text \027\052
8 lines per inch \027\053
Select expanded mode
Okidata
Compatible
Okidata Pacemark and Microline IBM compatble
Select letter quality mode \027\073\003
Select compressed mode \015
Select 12 cpi \027\058
Select 10 cpi \018
Double-space text \027A0\0272
Single-space text \027A0\024\0272
8 lines per inch \027\048
Select expanded mode \027\087\049
Micronix
Gemini
printer
Master reset \027\064
Select compressed mode \015
Select 12 cpi \027\066\002
Select 10 cpi \018
Double-space text \027065\024
Single-space text \0272
8 lines per inch \0270
Select expanded mode \027\087\001
Texas
Instrument
printers
Texas Instrument 850, 855, and 865 printers
Master reset \027@
Select letter quality \027q
Select compressed mode \027P
Select 12 cpi \027z
Select 10 cpi \027y
Double-space text \027\028\049
Single-space text \0272
8 lines per inch \0270
Select expanded mode \027F
Toshiba
printers
Toshiba P351, P1350, and P1351 printers
Master reset \027\0261
Select compressed mode \027\091
Select 12 cpi \027*1\027E10
Double-space text \027L16
Select expanded mode \027!
Oedema
If an OEDEMA variable is found in the file, with 1, O (Oui=Yes in french) or Y coding for oedema, all records presenting oedema will be excluded from analysis based on the weight/height or weight for age indices, when the option is activated.
Cluster
analysis
Activating this option will do a cluster analysis on the data, using the variable indicated as the identifier of each clusters. The identification variable needs to be numeric in type. Cluster analysis is necessary to take into account the
design
effect
of cluster samplings, when calculating confidence
intervals.
calculation
Age in decimal momths can be calculated from bithdate and visitdate. *
AGE = (BIRTHDATE - VISITDATE) * 30.4375
The calendar by default displays the computer system date. The next and previous days can be highlighted using the <Left> and <Right> arrow keys, or by cilcking on a day with the mouse. Next and previous months months can be viewed using the '+', <Page Down> or '-', <Page Up> keys, or by clicking with the mouse on the
icons next to the month. Next and previous weeks can be viewed using the <Up> and <Down> arrow keys. Next and previous years can be viewed using the <Ctrl>-<Page Down> or <Ctrl>-<Page Up> keys, or by clicking with the mouse on the
icons next to the year. t
Select the date and press the "Birth date" or the "Visit date" buttons to set the corresponding date. The age in decimal months is displayed. Pressing the "Ok" button paste the value of the age in the "age" field of the index calculator. The "close" button or the icon on the left top corner of the frame close the age calculator without pasting the value to the field.
(.txt)