MCH-Info is a software program for the presentation and analysis of public health data with an emphasis on data for maternal and child health (MCH) and children with special health care needs (CSHCN) planning and reporting. MCH-Info is a program for data entry, and reviewing, analyzing, reporting, graphing, and mapping key MCH indicators. The program is intended to provide a state or local MCH program with a time-saving tool to assist in needs assessment and planning.

MCH-Info is written using EPI-Info 6.03 programming language and utilizes many built-in features of the software package. EPI-Info is commonly used by public health departments for needs assessment and planning. EPI-Info 6.03 is a program for epidemiologic data analysis and reporting; the program was produced by the Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization. EPI-Map is a mapping program designed for use with EPI-Info files or dBASE files. MCH-Info also interfaces with EPI-Map. MCH-Info requires EPI-Info and EPI-Map software to run all features of the software. Both EPI-Info and EPI-Map are available without charge to users. We are not including EPI-Map in our MCH-Info software. You may; however, download the current version of EPI-Map directly from the CDC by clicking http://www.cdc.gov/publications.htm. The enter.*, eped.*, and analysis.* components of EPI-Info are included in MCH-Info. To use EPI-Map within MCH-Info, you must indicate the path to EPI-Map in your autoexec.bat file.

MCH-Info offers the user a self-contained software package for collection and analysis of public health data and for producing reports, graphics and maps. Some important features of MCH-Info include:

In this electronic version of the manual, Part One contains the Preface, Quick-Start to MCH-Info, and Chapters One through Three. Part Two contains Chapters Four and Five. Part Three contains Chapters Six and Seven as well as the Appendix, Glossary, and Index. More detailed information on the topics covered in each section and a brief description of the conventions used in this manual follow below.

There is an MS Microsoft Word version of the manual available for downloading. Click user manual for instructions on downloading the manual. There is also a version of the user manual that can be accessed from the main menu of MCH-Info software. This version of the user manual is an abbreviated version and does not include the graphics found in the MS Word version.

Immediately following the Preface is Quick-Start to MCH-Info: A Concise User's Guide, a summary of the instructions for installing the software, setting-up your directories, creating geographic and data files, and creating and printing reports. These quick-start instructions are a summary of the more detailed steps included in the remainder of the manual.

The first three chapters cover the fundamentals of MCH-Info. Chapter One discusses some basic concepts and terms you will encounter using MCH-Info, e.g., data sets, REC, QES, and geographic files. This chapter also familiarizes you with some basic function keys and commands for moving through the menus. Chapter Two provides you with information on the installation of MCH-Info software, setup of the directories and the word processing, graphics and mapping options, while Chapter Three familiarizes you with the various menu options and built-in tools available.

Chapter Four shows you how to create and edit geographic files, while Chapter Five helps you build and edit data files as well as select and use the various computation options needed for your reports and analyses.

Chapter Six details how to create reports, tables, listings, and analyses, while Chapter Seven shows you how to use the variety of graphing and mapping features to add emphasis and clarity to your reports.

Appendix A includes the variables, variable names, and variable definitions for each of the 24 core data file sets included with MCH-Info.

The glossary provides definitions of key terms used throughout this manual.

To facilitate the use of this manual all menu selections used in MCH-Info appear in capital letters, in the exact word order and utilizing the exact abbreviations, that you will see on your screen.

Selections found in the pop-up menus of your screen are represented, in this manual, with an em dash (-), e.g., DATA-REPORT FORMS. This indicates that you should first select the DATA option, then select the REPORT FORMS option.

The X icon indicates a caution regarding actions that potentially could cause problems for you. Be sure to read these warnings-they could prevent you from losing or corrupting your files. An arrowhead icon highlights tips for working more efficiently in MCH-Info.