Abstract: Objective  To analyze and compare the characteristics of new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) registered among floating and resident population, and provide evidence base for floating population TB control strategies development.  Methods  The age, sex, occupational, geographical and time distribution of new smear positive PTB among floating and resident population were analyzed based on the national TB-specific internet-based reporting system in 2010. Results  In 2010, a total of 429 812 cases of new smear positive PTB were registered nationally, among  which 29 924 cases were from floating population, accounting for 7.0% (29 924/429 812) of total cases. For different age categories, 88.9%（26 617/29 924）of cases were from 15—55 years age group in floating population, higher than 60.7%（242 771/399 888） of this age group in resident population. For sex distribution, male accounfed for 67.1% (20 076/29 924), female accounted for 32.9% （9848/29 924）in floating population higher than that of 28.3% （113 103/399 888）in resident population. For occupational distribution, the highest were workers accounting for 47.8% （14 312/29 924）followed by 15.8% （4729/29 924）of farmers and herdsmen in floating population, in contrast, in resident population, farmers and herdsmen accounted for 73.3%（293 229/399 888）, followed by 7.4%（29 449/399 888） for workers; the proportion of migrant new smear positive PTB cases was 68.0% （20 341/29 924）in total cases in eastern region and 39.1% （1851/4728）in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai region. The registration of migrant new smear positive PTB cases peaked from April to June, monthly registration exceeded 10% of the whole year. Conclusion  In comparison with resident population, floating new smear positive PTB cases showed different characteristics in terms of age, sex, occupational, geographical and time distribution. Therefore, to fully understand and analyze the characteristics is important in TB control strategies development among floating population.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary/prevention and control, Registries, China