Abstract:

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis among the floating population in China for evidence to plan control strategies for tuberculosis in the floating population in China. Methods The medical record data of pulmonary tuberculosis patients were initially retrieved through the Tuberculosis Management Information System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021, and then the floating population with pulmonary tuberculosis were screened and analyzed concerning their demographic characteristics, source of the cases identified, and reporting time, etc. Results From 2018 to 2021, a total of 268 927 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported in the floating population nationwide. The reported number was 79 362, 76 188, 70 749 and 42 628, respectively in each year. 176 997 of the patients were males, and 91 930 females, with a sex ratio of 1.93∶1. The age group with the highest number of reported cases is 25 to 34 years old (66 471,24.72%). By occupation, the number of cases was the highest in farmers, followed by population in household (90 243, 33.56%) and unemployment (64 924， 24.14%). The proportion of farmers in each year of the reported cases showed downward trend (χ²_trend=1 109.94, P<0.05), whereas upward trend in household workers and the unemployed (χ²_trend=1 180.47, P<0.05). The minimum number of reported cases was in February (13 692, 5.09%), and the maximum was in April (27 465, 10.21%). The cases were mainly identified from referrals, self-referral due to symptom and follow-up, accounting for 43.31% (116 468/268 927), 28.63% (76 996/268 927), and 24.10% (64 802/268 927), respectively. The proportion showed an upward trend in the cases identified from self-referral due to symptom and referral, yet downward trend in follow-up (χ²_trend=12.298, 135.446, 247.449, all P<0.05). The pulmonary tuberculosis cases identified among inter-provincial floating population were mainly involved in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Beijing and Jiangsu, which accounted for 66.95% (86 987/129 923) of the total number of the cases reported in inter-provincial mobile reports. Conclusion In recent years, the reported cases of tuberculosis among the floating population in China are primarily seen in male, middle-aged and young people, farmers, household workers and the unemployed. And there are differences in regional distribution. The findings suggest that the situation of epidemic prevention and control cannot be optimistic, and corresponding prevention and control strategies should be formulated by targeting at the key population and regions.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis, Floating population, Epidemiological characteristics