[Epidemiological study on tuberculosis in Tochigi Prefecture. Part I: Factor relating to the onset of tuberculosis in three health centers of Tochigi Prefecture].
While the incidence rate of tuberculosis had steadily decreased in Tochigi Prefecture until 1981, the rate began to increase since around 1982 in contrast to the continuous decrease in Japan. An interview survey of the factors and the background of newly registered tuberculosis patients in three health centers of Tochigi Prefecture was conducted to clarify the reason of the recent undesirable changes of the epidemiological picture of tuberculosis in Tochigi Prefecture. Those items included in the interview were X-ray and bacteriological findings at registry, mode of detection, previous history of tuberculosis, symptoms, findings at registry, mode of detection, previous history of tuberculosis, symptoms, coverage of previous examination, etc. Of 178 newly registered tuberculous patients in these health center district in Tochigi Prefecture, 175 (98%) were interviewed by public health nurses during the period from April, 1987 to January, 1988. The results thus obtained were as follows: 1. 74% of the patients were found by visiting doctors, chiefly with complaints of fever, cough and sputum, followed by health examination (13%). The proportion of patients detected by visiting doctors was higher in females and the older age groups of 70 and over. 2. Patients found by visiting doctors chiefly complained of fever, cough and sputum. The positive rate of tubercle bacilli by bacteriological examination was higher in patients complaining of cough and sputum than those without these complaints. The positive rate was higher than that of newly registered cases in whole Japan. The rate was especially high in the age group of 50-69.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Kobayashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*