[Achievements on tuberculosis control in Shandong province -- a population-based survey in 2010]

To study the prevalence and trend of tuberculosis for related policy development in Shandong.

The population under the current study was randomly sampled, using both stratified clustering sampling and proportional population sampling methods, following the national survey protocol. A total of 35 clusters including about 1500 subjects per cluster were established, representing a population of 9.31 million. Questionnaire interview and chest X-ray exam were applied to all inhabitants above 15 years of age. Sputum microscopy and culture were given to all suspected cases with cough longer than 2 weeks or having abnormal X-ray results.

In total, 54 279 subjects were interviewed and examined, accounting for 95.78% of eligible population. Of them, 183 active pulmonary tuberculosis cases were identified, with 60.11% asymptomatic. Two of the 35 (5.71%) clusters had no active tuberculosis cases found, and 24 (68.57%) did not show smear positive results. The standardized prevalence rates of active, smear positive and bacteriologic positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases were 270.87/10(5), 17.45/10(5) and 29.57/10(5), with the estimated case numbers as 211 900 (170 100 - 253 600), 13 600 (5800 - 21 500) and 23 100 (13 200 - 33 000) respectively. Compared to the survey in 2000, the rates on smear positive and bacteriologic positive tuberculosis had decreased significantly, at a rate of 81.63%, and 75.56% respectively. The rates in urban areas and in women decreased quickly than those in rural areas and in men. People living in the rural areas, being elderly or males, had significantly higher prevalence rates of tuberculosis.

Remarkable reduction of tuberculosis prevalence had been achieved despite the fact that tuberculosis remained a major public health problem in Shandong province. Symptomatic patients should be under more serious concern in order to improve the detection of early cases. More efforts should be given to rural population, especially elderly, male population.