Analysis on referral and tracing of tuberculosis cases reported from network by non-TB control institutions in Anhui Province during 2008-2014

Objective To analyze the status of referral and tracing of tuberculosis (TB) cases reported via internet by non-TB control institutions in AnHui province from 2008 to 2014, and to explore measures for improving tuberculosis cases finding and provide scientific basis for TB prevention and control program. Methods Data report forms and records of patient TB registration from 2008-2014 were collected and analyzed. Results 250 226 patients with suspected tuberculosis were reported by the non-TB control institutions in AnHui province from 2008 to 2014, the total arrival rate was 91%, 102 154 cases were diagnosed with active tuberculosis, among whom 48 315 were initial smear-positive cases, accounting for 47.30% of the patients with active tuberculosis, 3 017 were retreatment smear-positive tuberculosis cases, accounting for 2.96%, 47 823 were smear-negative patient cases, accounting for 46.81%. Compared with 2008, patients with referral rate increased by 50.74% (χ²=20 915.98,P<0.001), tracking rate increased by 31.49% (χ²=7 323.37,P<0.001), referral arrival rate increased by 31.56% (χ²=5 206.08,P<0.001), the total arrival rate increased by 24.85% (χ²=7 230.69,P<0.001) in 2014.Among the referral from China TB Direct Report System, the TB cases which could not be traced, the highest proportion of patients went out, accounting for 23.23%, 16.31% cases refused treatment, 9.76% cases were not found, deaths accounted for 7.78%, 42.92% cases were not followed-up for unknown reasons. Conclusions Non-TB control institutions play an important role in TB prevention and control program. TB case detection by enhancing the collaboration with non-TB control institutions and improving TB suspect referring and tracing system will further improve the ability of identifying patients.