[The epidemiologic status of lung tuberculosis in China 1979 and 1984/85. The result of the 2d nationwide randomized prevalence study].

During 1984/85 1,121,897 persons were examined throughout China in 22 provinces, towns and autonomous territories at 749 randomised locations by means of x-ray and sputum examinations as well as tuberculin tests (PPD). The rate of prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis was 550 for 100,000 inhabitants and that of pulmonary tuberculosis with a positive smear 156 for 100,000. Compared with the first prevalence study in 1979, active pulmonary tuberculosis showed a decrease by 4.7% and positive smear incidence a decrease by 3.2%. The estimated risk of infection dropped from 0.83% in 1979 to 0.55% in 1985, the rate of decrease being 6.6%. The overall mortality rate of tuberculosis had remained unchanged compared with 1973/75. Only 12% of pulmonary tuberculoses with a positive smear were recorded and controlled by the relevant agencies, so that about 90% of the highly infectious patients were still able to infect healthy persons of the society. Thus the epidemiological situation of pulmonary tuberculosis could hardly improve. The reason for the unfavourable situation of tuberculosis in China is the insufficiency of the control methods. An important part is played in this regard by the fact that chemotherapy of patients with positive smear is not optimal. The organisational system is not strictly and completely realised. To achieve reduction of prevalence of patients with a positive smear and of the risk of infection to 50% of the present value by 2000 A.D., all coworkers of the relevant antituberculosis agencies must make exhaustive use of all available means for combatting the disease.