Abstract: Objective To determine smear positive detection situation in family close contacts of smear positive cases.Methods 36 423 confirmed close contacts of smear positive cases were asked to provide 3 sputum specimens(night,morning and spot sputum) for smear examination.Results The smear positive detection rate was 1.0% in family close contacts of smear positive cases.There was a positive correlation between smear positive detection rate of close contacts and the amount of bacteria discharged by the cases.The smear positive detection rate in ≤15 age group and ≥55 age group of close contacts(1.5% and 2.1% respectively) was higher than other groups.There was significant statistical difference.Conclusions To screen close contacts of smear positive cases by sputum examination could help to increase smear positive case detection rate.Especially for the close contacts of those cases with amount of bacteria discharged more than 2+ and close contacts in ≤15 age group and ≥55 age group,sputum examination screening will help to detect cases as early as possible.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis/prevention and control