Epidemic analysis of tuberculosis in Hami city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Objective To determine the epidemiologic patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis in Hami city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in order to provide evidence for the development of comprehensive prevention and control strategies for the disease. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiologic analysis was conducted based on the tuberculosis statistics and network reporting data. Results A cumulative number of 1647 active pulmonary tuberculosis cases had been reported during the past six years, the annual average new registration being 457.93/lakh. Despite obscure seasonal patterns, 50% new registrations were present in winter and spring. Productive youths and late adults constituted the affected majority, along with a tendency to the younger groups, regardless of gender. The prompt report rate was 98.26%, the consistency 98.06%, and the completeness 98.09%. Conclusion The prevention and control of tuberculosis should be strengthened in winter and spring. The quality of the completion of report cards in medical institutes should be evaluated and included into the annually comprehensive assessment. Routine inspection should be conducted by the supervising departments and long-term quality control established, in order to improve the responsibility of first-visit practitioners and the preciseness of case report forms.