Abstract: ObjectiveTo find out various costs for TB patients from the very beginning to the end of the disease, and to provide scientific proof for the whole country to develop control and prevention policy. Methods100 smear positive pulmonary TB patients were selected from 10 counties in Hunan, these patients were interviewed with questionnaire and collected data were analyzed. Results(1) Medical facilities where smear positive pulmonary TB patients admit first when they have symptoms are general hospital, TB dispensary, township hospital and private clinic in sequence, and their ratios are 43%, 20%, 16% and 11% respectively; (2) The total cost for TB patient is about 3678.8 RMB, among which direct cost is 2724.8 RMB and indirect cost is 954.0 RMB. The cost for TB after diagnosis accounts for about half of the total cost; (3) Most patients’ income and their families’ income reduced after the patients were diagnosed with TB; (4) Patient delay is 1.5 months and diagnosis delay is 1.6 months. ConclusionsFund investment on TB control and prevention should be strengthened to alleviate economic burden of TB patients.

Key words: Tuberculosis,pulmonary/economics, Fees,medical, Hunan province