Data management and other logistical challenges for the GEMS: the data coordinating center perspective

Abstract

The Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center provided the data management, administrative, and statistical support to the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS). The GEMS study, the largest epidemiological study in the diarrheal disease area among children <5 years of age, was carried out in 4 African countries and 3 Asian countries. Given the geographical and geopolitical differences among the countries, the administration of a centralized data management operation was a major challenge. The sheer volume of the data that were collected, regular transfer of the data to a centralized database, and the cleaning of the same also posed some challenges. This paper outlines the details of the support that the data coordinating center provided and the challenges faced during the course of the study.

Figure 1.

Structure of a typical FTP (file transfer protocol) account.

Figure 2.

Split-screen validation in DataFax.

Figure 3.

The number of case report forms (CRFs) received in the 4 databases (main study, CRF2, HUAS, and Verbal Autopsy) of Global Enteric Multicenter Study. Abbreviations: CRF, case report forms; HUAS, Health Utilization and Attitude Survey; VA, Verbal Autopsy; DCC, Perry Point Data Coordinating Center.

Figure 4.

The number of plates received for Global Enteric Multicenter Study versus other studies completed by the Data Coordinating Center.