[Report on fourth epidemiological survey for tuberculosis in Heilongjiang province]

To investigate the epidemiological trend of tuberculosis, to evaluate the efficacy of control measures and to provide scientific evidence for provincial 2001 approximately 2010 tuberculosis control programme.

Tuberculin testing was carried out and BCG scar was examined among 0 approximately 14 years old children; fluroscopy was carried out for >/= 15 years old population and children of tuberculin testing positive; chest X-ray film, sputum smear and culture, drug sensitivity test were done for the patients of fluroscopy abnormal; the survey of tuberculosis infection rate for all population was carried out in 2 investigation points; a retrospective study of tuberculosis mortality was conducted at all investigation points; social economic study was done for the active pulmonary tuberculosis cases.

The overall examination rate was more than 95%. The prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis was 512/100 000, the prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis was 121/100 000 and the prevalence of bacteriological positive pulmonary tuberculosis was 146/100 000. In comparison with 1979, the annual reduction rates were 3.2% for the prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis and 2.0% for the prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis. In comparison with 1990, the annual reduction rates were 1.49% and 0, respectively. The prevalence increased slightly in city and decreased slowly in countryside.

The smear positive prevalence has not decreased since 1990. The governments at different levels must pay more attention to tuberculosis control programme, increase the budget, strengthen law management, implement DOTS strategy.