The impact of migrants on the epidemiology of tuberculosis in Beijing, China.

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) services in the Municipality of Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of migrants on the epidemiology and management of TB in Beijing.

DESIGN

Comparison of information on permanent residents and migrants from routine reports of TB cases registered in Beijing from 1993 to 2005.

RESULTS

From 1993 to 2005, there was a steady rise in the proportion of migrants among TB cases notified in Beijing, from approximately one in 10 cases to one in three cases. The results of treatment in migrant cases of TB over the period 1997-2004 were unsatisfactory. The proportion of cases cured among permanent residents was 90.6%, compared with only 37.0% of cases among migrants.

CONCLUSION

Migrants pose a challenge to TB services in Beijing. Special attention must be given to them by the National Tuberculosis Programme to address these challenges.