Abstract:Objective To know about the epidemiological characteristics and the referral and tracking situation of tuberculosis(TB) patients in Shizhu County, so as to provide a reference for making TB prevention strategies. Methods The clinical data of 5 217 patients with TB in Shizhu County from 2005 to 2014 were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods, and the data of referral and tracking of TB patients and suspects reported from non-tuberculosis organizations were also comprehensively evaluated. Results (1) The annual average prevalence of TB was 97.17/100 000 and the annual average smear-positive rate was 58.04/100 000 from 2005 to 2014 in Shizhu County. (2) There were significantly more males than females in our investigation(χ2=21.900 5,P<0.05), with the sex ratio being 2.10:1. The proportion of farmers were the highest among all the professions, accounting for 77.42%, followed by students, accounting for 6.40%. Patients of 35-44 years old was the largest population, accounting for 19.55%, followed by those of 55-64 and 25-34 years old groups, accounting for 16.16% and 16.01%, respectively. (3) Non-tuberculosis organizations reported 2 809 cases from 2005 to 2014, and the overall arrival was 1 673 cases (59.56%), including referral in 1 095 cases (38.98%) and tracking in 578 cases (20.58%). The rate of referral increased from 2.21% in 2005 to 63.33% in 2009, and then decreased from 55.64% in 2010 to 33.88% in 2014. The rate of tracking fluctuated between 13.33% and 30.54%; (4) 1 136 cases did not arrive after tracking, with going out accounting for 43.22%, no tracking information accounting for 36.97% and refusing treatment accounting for 10.48%. (5) Positive rate and confirmed smear-positive rate were 75.13% and 64.84% in 1 673 arrived cases, respectively. Patients diagnosed with active TB (1 257 cases) accounted for 24.09% of the registered during the same period in Shizhu County (5 217 cases), while diagnosis of smear positive TB in 815 cases accounted for 26.16% of the registered during the same period (3 116 cases). Conclusion The main targets of TB prevention in Shizhu County should be males and farmers. Besides, the DOTS should be continually carried out, and the TB prevention and treatment of students should be emphasized. Meanwhile, the key for TB prevention is the combination of treatment and prevention and implementation of referral and tracking.