UNSTRUCTURED
Abstract
Background: Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death by an infectious disease. China ranks third among the 30 high-burden countries for TB and accounts for approximately 7.4% of the cases reported worldwide. It was necessary to promulgate more constructive measures in keeping with the times.
Methods: The data of reported sputum smear-positive (SS+), TB and sputum smear-negative (SS-) cases in 340 prefectures from mainland China were extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP) from January 2009 to December 2018. Multiple statistical analysis and GIS techniques were used to investigate the temporal trend and identify the spatial distribution of SS+, TB and SS- cases in the study area. Age differences in TB prevalence of these three cases were also examined at the prefecture level.
Results: The results showed that the incidence of SS+ and TB has dropped to a stable level, while SS- exhibited a rising trend. Additionally, it is worth noting that the mortality of these three subjects exhibited an increasing trend since 2014, which might be caused by the potential Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nevertheless, SS+, TB and SS- are still highly prevalent in northwestern and southwestern regions of China. Finally, the young adult group (20-50 age) and elder group (> 50 age) are susceptible to being infected with TB, while lower infection levels in the juvenile group (< 20 age).
Conclusions: The present study investigated the temporal-spatial distribution of SS+, TB and SS- cases in mainland China before the COVID-19 pandemic breakout, which would help the government agency establish an effective mechanism of TB prevention in high-risk periods and high-risk areas in the study region.