Comparison of pulmonary tuberculosis reporting between web-based infectious disease reporting system and tuberculosis management information system, 2005-2011

Objective To understand the characteristics and difference of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) reporting between web-based infectious disease reporting system (IDRS) and tuberculosis management information system (TBMIS) and explore the related factors. Methods The pulmonary TB incidence data reported through IDRS and TBMIS during 2005-2011 were analyzed and compared. Results Both the pulmonary TB cases and sputum smear positive cases reported through two systems declined during this period. The pulmonary TB case number reported through IDRS was much higher than that through TBMIS, but the smear positive case number was lower. Conclusion The difference in pulmonary TB reporting between the two surveillance systems may be due to the differences in their coverage, TB case definition and statistical time. The diagnosis and reporting of TB patients in general hospitals should be standardized and the cooperation between hospitals and disease prevention institutions should be strengthened.