Investigation on the status of internet-based reporting data analysis of infectious diseases in local centers for diseases control and prevention (CDCs)

Objective The study was made to investigate the status and its determinants of data analysis on diseases reporting information system in local CDCs. Methods Persons related to internet-based data in Beijing City and Zhejiang Province were interviewed by a self-designed questionnaire. Results A total of 55.2%(472/855)of the respondents considered that data was poorly analyzed in local CDCs. Only 24.2%(211/871) had used data to predict or forecast the trend of infectious diseases. 92.7% of the participants reported having used Excel software to analyze internet-based data, followed by SPSS software. However, SAS, Stata and EPI info being seldom used, the using rate was less than 20%. Among the respondents, 48.2% had never learned the professional statistical skills. Academic and the statistical knowledge were shown as influential factors(OR=4.382, 3.757 respectively) of data analysis in a multiple-factor regression analysis. Conclusion Statistical skills of personnel responsible for surveillance of infectious disease in local CDCs are relatively low.