Abstract:

Objective To explore the influence of COVID-19 intervention measures on tuberculosis prevention and control in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. Methods The registration information, drug resistance screening and treatment outcome of tuberculosis patients in Huizhou, Guangdong from January to June in 2019 and 2020 were collected through the Tuberculosis Management Information System in Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Tuberculosis patients’ supervision visits and regular medication were obtained through the Huizhou basic public health service project (tuberculosis patients’ health management) report. According to the actual situation of COVID-19 in China, January to June 2020 was set as the epidemic period and January to June 2019 was set as the baseline period. The changes of discovery, follow-up examination, medication management and supervision visit of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Huizhou during the two periods were compared. Results During the COVID-19 epidemic period, the detection rate of tuberculosis in Huizhou increased from 26.32% (881/3347) to 27.45% (794/2893), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=0.997, P=0.318); the screening rate of drug resistance in patients with pathogenic positive pulmonary tuberculosis increased from 95.66% (375/392) to 99.73% (372/373), the difference was statistically significant (χ²=13.771, P=0.000); the follow-up examination rate of confirmed patients decreased from 96.37% (849/881) to 96.10% (763/794), the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=0.085, P=0.770); the supervision visit rate increased from 99.16% (8037/8105) to 99.25% (7290/7345), the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=0.529, P=0.397); the regular medication rate increased from 95.46% (841/881) to 96.10% (763/794), the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=0.416, P=0.519). Conclusion The intervention measures for COVID-19 did not affect tuberculosis prevention and control in Huizhou, the tuberculosis prevention and control service system is running well. In the future, we should continue to strengthen the system to guarantee that the tuberculosis service system can provide normal diagnosis and treatment management services in any circumstance.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, Pneumonia, Coronavirus infections, Disease management, Preventive health services