Epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis incidence and its macro-influence factors in Chinese mainland during 2014-2021

Background Tuberculosis(TB)remains a pressing public health issue,posing a significant threat to individuals'well-being and lives.This study delves into the TB incidence in Chinese mainland during 2014-2021,aiming to gain deeper insights into their epidemiological characteristics and explore macro-level factors to enhance control and prevention.Methods TB incidence data in Chinese mainland from 2014 to 2021 were sourced from the National Notifiable Disease Reporting System(NNDRS).A two-stage distributed lag nonlinear model(DLNM)was constructed to evaluate the lag and non-linearity of daily average temperature(℃,Atemp),average relative humidity(%,ARH),average wind speed(m/s,AWS),sunshine duration(h,SD)and precipitation(mm,PRE)on the TB incidence.A spatial panel data model was used to assess the impact of demographic,medical and health resource,and economic factors on TB incidence.Results A total of 6,587,439 TB cases were reported in Chinese mainland during 2014-2021,with an average annual incidence rate of 59.17/100,000.The TB incidence decreased from 67.05/100,000 in 2014 to 46.40/100,000 in 2021,notably declining from 2018 to 2021(APC=-8.87%,95%CI:-11.97,-6.85%).TB incidence rates were higher among males,farmers,and individuals aged 65 years and older.Spatiotemporal analysis revealed a significant cluster in Xinjiang,Qinghai,and Xizang from March 2017 to June 2019(RR=3.94,P<0.001).From 2014 to 2021,the proportion of etiologically confirmed cases increased from 31.31%to 56.98%,and the time interval from TB onset to diagnosis shortened from 26 days(IQR:10-56 days)to 19 days(IQR:7-44 days).Specific meteorological conditions,including low temperature(<16.69℃),high relative humidity(>71.73%),low sunshine duration(<6.18 h)increased the risk of TB incidence,while extreme low wind speed(<2.79 m/s)decreased the risk.The spatial Durbin model showed positive associations between TB incidence rates and sex ratio(β=1.98),number of beds in medical and health institutions per 10,000 population(β=0.90),and total health expenses(β=0.55).There were negative associations between TB incidence rates and population(β=-1.14),population density(β=-0.19),urbanization rate(β=-0.62),number of medical and health institutions(β=-0.23),and number of health technicians per 10,000 population(β=-0.70).Conclusions Significant progress has been made in TB control and prevention in China,but challenges persist among some populations and areas.Varied relationships were observed between TB incidence and factors from meteorological,demographic,medical and health resource,and economic aspects.These findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to strengthen TB control and implement digital/intelligent surveillance for early risk detection and comprehensive interventions.

Prevalence of and risk factors for tuberculosis among healthcare workers in Chinese tuberculosis facilities

Background:China is one of 22 countries with a high tuberculosis(TB)burden in the world.Healthcare workers(HCWs)have a high risk of contracting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to insufficient infection control practices.We conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the prevalence of TB and its associated risk factors among HCWs in Chinese TB facilities.Methods:Two hundred and forty-one TB facilities employing a total of 9663 HCWs were selected from 12 provinces in China to represent healthcare settings at the provincial,prefectural,and county levels.Structured questionnaires were used to collect information on TB infection control practices and HCWs in those facilities.Data was double entered into EpiData 3.1;TB prevalence and associated risk factors were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 with bivariate and multivariate regression models.Results:The results showed that 71 HCWs had been diagnosed with TB,accounting for a prevalence of 760/100000.The multivariate analysis showed that associated risk factors included belonging to the age group of 51 years and above(aOR:6.17,95%CI:1.35-28.28),being a nurse(aOR=3.09,95%CI:1.15-8.32),implementation of 0-9 items of management measures(aOR=2.57,95%CI:1.37-4.80),and implementation of 0-1 items of ventilation measures(aOR=2.42,95%CI:1.31-4.47).Conclusion:This was the first national large sampling survey on TB prevalence among HCWs in China.It was found that the implementation of TB infection control practices in some facilities was poor.The TB prevalence in HCWs was higher than that in the general population.Therefore,TB infection control practices in Chinese medical facilities should be strengthened.

Epidemiological characteristics of imported respiratory infectious diseases in China,2014-2018

Background:With the progress of globalization,international mobility increases,greatly facilitating cross-border transmission of respiratory infectious diseases(RIDs).This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and factors influencing imported RIDs,with the goal of providing evidence to support adoption of high-tech,intel-ligent methods to early find imported RIDs and prevent their spread in China.Methods:We obtained data of imported RIDs cases from 2014 to 2018 from the Inbound Sentinel Network of Customs and the National Notifiable Diseases Reporting System in China.We analyzed spatial,temporal,and population distribution characteristics of the imported RIDs.We developed an index to describe seasonality.Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between independent variables and imported cases.Data analyses and visualizations were conducted with R software.Results:From a total of 1409265253 inbound travelers,31732(2.25/100000)imported RIDs cases were reported.RIDs cases were imported from 142 countries and five continents.The incidence of imported RIDs was nearly 5 times higher in 2018(2.81/100000)than in 2014(0.58/100000).Among foreigners,incidence rates were higher among males(5.32/100000),0–14-year-olds(15.15/100000),and cases originating in Oceania(11.10/100000).The vast majority(90.3%)of imported RIDs were influenza,with seasonality consistent with annual seasonality of influenza.The spatial distribution of imported RIDs was different between Chinese citizens and foreigners.Increases in inbound travel volume and the number of influenza cases in source countries were associated with the number of imported RIDs.Conclusions:Our study documented importation of RIDs into China from 142 countries.Inbound travel poses a significant risks bringing important RIDs to China.It is urgent to strengthen surveillance at customs of inbound travelers and establish an intelligent surveillance and early warning system to prevent importation of RIDs to China for preventing further spread within China.