Abstract: Objective To analyze the present situation of Township Sputum Collecting Centers in Shandong Province and make recommendations. Methods According to geographical features, multi-stage stratified sampling method was adopted, eight counties enrolled as investigation site for in-depth analysis. A combination of interview and questionnaire survey was used. Leaders of health bureau and village hospitals were interviewed and work of township sputum collecting centers and basic situation of suspected TB patients were investigated. Results In2006, Shandong set up a total of 497 Township Sputum Collecting Centers. 824 cases of smear positive TB patients were found in these centers, and the contribution rate is 3.3%. In the eight sampled counties, a total of 2880 cases of TB patients were found, among which 38 were found by Township Sputum Collecting Centers, the contribution rate is 1.3%. As for the operation work of Township Sputum Collecting Centers, except for very few counties, most of centers observe the requirement of national TB program. 38% of suspected TB patients did not check sputum in village hospitals.  Conclusion s In Shandong province, setting up Township Sputum Collecting Centers is feasible, and it does make a contribution in smear-positive TB patients’ case finding. However, the positive rate is low and laboratory conditions are poor, and doctors have a low consciousness of smear check and work is imbalanced between centers. Therefore, current centers should be optimized according to the present situations. And leadership and financial commitment should be increased, and training of laboratory staff and doctors be strengthened in order to improve the efficiency of sputum collecting centers.

Key words: tuberculosis, pulmonary/prevention and control, sputum/microbiology, Shandong province