Abstract: Objective To analyze the characteristics of active tuberculosis and new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB) registered among ethnic minority population in China,and provide evidence for TB control strategies development for ethnic minority population. Methods In 2009,a total of 974 489 cases of PTB patients and 449 113 cases of new smear positive PTB patients were registered nationally,patients were divided into 7 age groups,including <15,15—,25—,35—,45—,55—,and ≥65.The occupational and geographical distribution of PTB among ethnic minority population was also analyzed. Results  In 2009, a total of 102 844 and 42 013 cases of minority active PTB and new smear positive PTB patients were registered, accounting for 10.6% and 9.4% of total cases registered nationally respectively. For different age categories,>65 age group has the highest number of active cases, accounting for 17.7%（18 178/102 844）. Twenty-five to thirty-four age group has the highest number of new smear positive cases, accounting for 18.6%（7 827/42 013）. For occupational distribution, the majority were farmers accounting for 72.7%（74 765/102 844）. In Herdsman living with TB, 78.8% （3 858/4 894）were from minority population. Fifty-eight point three percent （59 921/102 844）of minority TB patients lived in western region of China. Conclusions  Minority population showed different characteristics in terms of age, gender, occupational and geographical distribution. The strategy of minority TB prevention should focus on western region and farmers.

Key words: tuberculosis, pulmonary/prevention and control, minority groups, registries