Abstract:

Objective To understand the screening results of tuberculosis among entry-exit applicants at Shanghai ports, and to find solutions for preventing cross-border transmission of tuberculosis through ports. Methods We collected data of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) screening which were performed on each entry or exit applicant at Shanghai port between January 2014 and December 2020. Presumptive tuberculosis patients were identified through medical history query, physical examination and chest X-ray examination. Subsequently, sputum bacteriological tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis. PTB positive rate and sex and age distributions of PTB patients were analyzed. Results A total of 539397 individuals were screened for PTB at Shanghai port from 2014 to 2020, among which 795 cases were detected, with a detection rate of 147.39/100000, highest in 2016 (319.89/100000,268 cases) and lowest in 2020 (20.45/100000,8 cases). Most tuberculosis patients came from East Asia countries (575 cases, accounting for 72.33%), while Latin America countries occupied the least share (4 cases, accounting for 0.50%). There were more males (479 cases, accounting for 60.25%) than females (316 cases, accounting for 39.75%). The male-female ratio was 1.52:1. For different age groups, patients aged ≥60 years old (246 cases, 30.94%) accounted for the most, while those aged 50-59 years old (107 cases, 13.46%) accounted for the least. Conclusion PTB surveillance should be strengthened in high-risk populations at Shanghai port, especially for male,elderly people(≥60 years) and people from East Asia. Also subsequent supervision should be strengthened to prevent and control the transmission of PTB.

Key words: Tuberculosis,pulmonary, Port, Entry and exit, Population surveillance