Incidence trend and epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis in Anhui, 2011–2020

  Objective  To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Anhui province from 2011 to 2020 and provide evidence for the development of TB control strategy in the 14^th Five-Year Plan period

  Methods  By using descriptive epidemiology method, the population, space and time distributions and incidence trend of TB in Anhui 2011 to 2020 were analyzed based on the data from TB information management system.

  Results  From 2011 to 2020, a total of 324 916 cases of pulmonary TB were registered in Anhui, the average annual registered incidence rate was 52.60/100 000, showing a significant decline trend (trend χ²=3562.203, P<0.001).The wide use of new diagnostic techniques during the 13^th Five-Year Plan period has improved the etiological positive detection of pulmonary TB, the difference in pulmonary TB detection between men and women was significant ( χ²=6411.398, P<0.001). The registered incidence rate increased with age, which was highest in age group ≥65 years (138.48/100 000). The majority of pulmonary TB cases were farmers (74.41%). The incidence of pulmonary TB peaked during March - May with obvious seasonality, and the cases were mainly distributed in Hefei (12.88%), Fuyang (11.92%) and Anqing (8.52%). The incidence were significantly higher in areas along the Yangtze River (Tongling, Chizhou, Ma’anshan, Anqing and Wuhu) than in other areas ( χ²=49.706, P<0.001).

  Conclusion  TB control had achieved remarkable success in Anhui, but the case finding of pulmonary TB was affected by COVID-19 epidemic in 2020. It is necessary to strengthen the TB prevention and control in men, age group ≥65 years and farmers and in winter/spring and key areas in Anhui.