[Epidemiologic feature of pulmonary tuberculosis in students from Shandong province]

To explore the reported incidence and epidemic features of pulmonary tuberculosis in students of Shandong province in 2013.

Population data from the Statistical Yearbook, and the number of reported pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients (students and whole populations) were gathered from the Chinese Infectious Disease Information Management System while the information of prognosis on student patients was from the Chinese Tuberculosis Information Management System. Epidemiological characteristics of the disease was analyzed.

The overall reported PTB incidence of Shandong province in 2013 was 37.55/100 000, including the reported PTB incidence in students as 9.67/100 000, with a significant peaks seen in students PTB, in April and September. Number of students PTB patients was seen more in males than in females, with half of the number seen in the age groups between 15 to 20, Smear-negative PTB was most frequently used to classify the types of patients. Prognosis and outcomes of treatment on patients with smear-positive tuberculosis were good.

High school and college students, especially at freshmen years, were under high risk that could cause the epidemics to occur. Recommendions should be targeted on the joint efforts made by both sectors of education and health, to work on this populaton to control the epidemics of PTB.