Abstract: Objective To explore the new approach to increase case detection of pulmonary tuberculosis(TB). Methods 30 counties whose case registration rates were lower than the average in Hubei province in 2003 were selected in this project.Patients with TB symptoms were inquired and referred by trained village doctors to county dispensaries, designated township health centers or general hospitals for free sputum examination.At the same time,TB patients and suspects notified by general hospitals were traced by TB staff via phone call,letter,etc.if they were defaulted during the referring. Results From Nov 2004 to Oct 2005,12 091 new smear positive TB cases were detected in the 30 counties.The new smear positive registration rate increased from 36.21/100,000 to 49.94/100 000(χ²=101.7,P<0.0001) and the case detection rate under DOTS reached 86.0%.Among 43 464 suspects registered with TB symptoms in 30 counties,15 363(35.3%) patients were referred by village doctors,in which 3 870 were new smear positive TB cases,accounting for 32.0% of the total.The follow-up rate was 70.9%,and arrival rate of the traced cases was only 33.1%. Conclusion It is an effective way to increase case detection through intensive referral of patients with TB symptoms by village doctors to TB dispensary with some incentives to patients and village doctors.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis/prevention and control