BackgroundThe WINPEPI computer programs for epidemiologists are designed for use in practice and research in the health field and as learning or teaching aids. The programs are free, and can be downloaded from the Internet. Numerous additions have been made in recent years.ImplementationThere are now seven WINPEPI programs: DESCRIBE, for use in descriptive epidemiology; COMPARE2, for use in comparisons of two independent groups or samples; PAIRSetc, for use in comparisons of paired and other matched observations; LOGISTIC, for logistic regression analysis; POISSON, for Poisson regression analysis; WHATIS, a "ready reckoner" utility program; and ETCETERA, for miscellaneous other procedures. The programs now contain 122 modules, each of which provides a number, sometimes a large number, of statistical procedures. The programs are accompanied by a Finder that indicates which modules are appropriate for different purposes. The manuals explain the uses, limitations and applicability of the procedures, and furnish formulae and references.ConclusionsWINPEPI is a handy resource for a wide variety of statistical routines used by epidemiologists. Because of its ready availability, portability, ease of use, and versatility, WINPEPI has a considerable potential as a learning and teaching aid, both with respect to practical procedures in the planning and analysis of epidemiological studies, and with respect to important epidemiological concepts. It can also be used as an aid in the teaching of general basic statistics.

MethodsThe study included all residents aged 20 or over and a 50% sample of those aged 15-19. The investigation comprised an interview at home and a subsequent examination by a physician, using standardised questions, procedures, and criteria. The study design and factors affecting response are described elsewhere; there was little evidence of non-response bias.9The presence of varicose veins was recorded if distended and tortuous subcutaneous veins were clearly visible in the lower limbs, with the subject standing. Dilatation or tortuosity of very small veins (venectasias) was excluded.Work posture was graded by asking how much time was usually spent sitting, standing, and walking during working hours, with fixed alternative responses (to each question) of 'almost all the time', 'more than half the time', 'about half the time', 'less than half the time', and 'almost not at all'. The questions were repeated if the replies were inconsistept, so as to reduce incongruities. The worker was classified as 'mainly sitting', 'mainly standing', or 'mainly walking' if one activity was reported to occupy at least half the time and occupied more time than either of the other activities. Allocation was made to a two-activity group if both activities occupied equal time, and the third less time. If the same reply was reported for all three activities the worker was placed in a three-activity group. 213

A multipurpose community health survey conducted in a neighbourhood of western Jerusalem in 1969-71 (Kark et al., 1970 provided an opportunity to study the epidemiology of inguinal hernia. Knowledge of the epidemiology of this common condition is scanty.The main aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence and correlates of inguinal hernia among men in this population. We also measured the extent of surgical intervention and the number of recurrences, and tested the validity of interview data on the presence of hernia. MethodsThe survey was conducted by the

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BackgroundThe WINPEPI (PEPI-for-Windows) computer programs for epidemiologists are designed for use in practice and research in the health field and as learning or teaching aids. They aim to complement other statistics packages. The programs are free, and can be downloaded from the Internet.ImplementationThere are at present four WINPEPI programs: DESCRIBE, for use in descriptive epidemiology, COMPARE2, for use in comparisons of two independent groups or samples, PAIRSetc, for use in comparisons of paired and other matched observations, and WHATIS, a "ready reckoner" utility program. The programs contain 75 modules, each of which provides a number, sometimes a large number, of statistical procedures. The manuals explain the uses, limitations and applicability of specific procedures, and furnish formulae and references.ConclusionsWINPEPI provides a wide variety of statistical routines commonly used by epidemiologists, and is a handy resource for many procedures that are not very commonly used or easily found. The programs are in general user-friendly, although some users may be confused by the large numbers of options and results provided. The main limitations are the inability to read data files and the fact that only one of the programs presents graphic results. WINPEPI has a considerable potential as a learning and teaching aid.