Abstract: Objective To analyze situation of referring TB suspects from health institutions to TB dispensaries and explore the measures for strengthening referring system. Method The data was coming from registers, forms, cards, referring registers and sheets, and monitoring reports to health institutions at different levels in Shenzhen Luohu Distric during 1995-2001. Results The average successful referring rate of tuberculosis suspects was 89.4% during the seven years. The registration rate of smear positive patients was raised from 14.3/100,000 to 30.7/ 100,000 since 1995. 2132 of 5941 referred cases were confirmed as active TB, 83.7% of smear positive cases detected in TB dispensary were referred from health facilities. Conclusion The health facilities, especially hospitals, are importance sources where tuberculosis cases are detected. Case-finding could be improved through strengthening referring system.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis/prevention and control