Managing the Kanchanaburi demographic surveillance system: creation of a relational database management system.

Database management plays an important role in KDSS: it provides data from the longitudinal data set that can be analyzed and improves data quality. The operation and access of the initial database system used in KDSS was costly and time-consuming. Therefore a new system based on relational database management system was developed to overcome these disadvantages. RDBMS operates by using structured English query language which is reliable and sufficiently flexible for operating a longitudinal database. In addition the KDSS relational database was developed based on the INDEPTH model; therefore it is compatible for sharing data among other sites in the Network. To formulate an RDBMS technical issues must be incorporated within the system: in particular an identification system should be specified clearly for every unit of analysis. Each unit must hold the same identification until the demographic surveillance system is terminated. Although RDBMS has no advanced statistical analysis functions it is powerful and able to manipulate the data into formats that are accessible to users. RDBMS is able to update data history and back up and recover data. These features minimize data damage in case the system crashes. The experience of IPSR in creating the RDBMS database for KDSS is useful for other research projects that are developing longitudinal database systems. Our experience indicates that it is essential when creating any longitudinal database to invest in the development of systems that maintain confidentiality while affording the basis for numerous data linkages that are required for longitudinal data analysis.