Abstract: Objective To explore the factors related to the non-arrival of the traced patients reported by general hospital through the Internet based TB reporting system. Methods The factors of the 99(the total number of pulmonary tuberculosis cases reported were 380) cases who reported by general hospital through the Internet based TB reporting system and were failed to be traced by TB institution from Jan.2006 to Mar.2007 were analyzed. Results Of 380 cases with pulmonary tuberculosis in Yuexiu district,there were 281 cases who arrived after tracing.The arrival rate was 74.0% and the non-arrival rate was 26.0%.Of the 99 cases who did not arrive after tracing,30(7.9%) cases returned hometown,24(6.3%) cases could not be found,17(4.5%) cases were left with false address,5(1.3%) cases died,4(1.3%) cases were because of moving home and refusing to TB institution for medical help respectively,15(3.9%) cases were because of other reason. Conclusion There are multiple factors related to the non-arrival of the traced patients reported by general hospital through the Internet based TB reporting system,among which returning hometown,patients could not be found and false address were the main factors accounting for the 72% of the total non-arrival.

Key words: pulmonary tuberculosis/prevention and control