[Estimation of TB incidence by labor status]

To estimate TB incidences by labor status in 2005 and trend since 1987.

TB cases registered in 2005 are derived from TB surveillance system and categorized by labor status. Populations by labor status in 2005 are derived from national labor force survey. TB incidences by sex, age and labor status (attending school, regular employee, self-employed, temporary & daily employee, housekeepers, jobless & others) were estimated. Differences of TB incidence are discussed with data of population surveys of foreign students/workers and medical/health workers, and other resources of national surveys. Trend of TB incidence by labor status and sex were estimated since 1987 and current problems in tuberculosis control were discussed.

Estimates of 2005 show higher TB incidences in male and female unemployed/others and male temporary/daily employees and that of housekeepers shows lower incidence. Regular employees and self-employed/house-workers show intermediate level incidences. Incidence of students was highest in 20s due to foreigners from TB prevalent countries. Female regular workers in 20s show higher incidence than male due to higher incidence among public health/medical employees. Trend of TB incidence since 1987 to 2005 shows stagnation in all labor status during second half of 1990s. In recent years, lower reduction rate was seen in most labor statuses.

Present estimates of TB incidence by labor status show high TB incidences among unemployed/others, male temporary/daily employees, foreigners, and female public health/medical employees. Recent stagnation in incidence among most labor statuses (especially students and unemployed/others) should be followed-up carefully.