National health examination and the impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis epidemic trend in Urumqi

Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025, 08, v.60 1520-1525     font:big middle small

Found programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 72163033 , 72174175)

Authors:Zhou Peiyao1 , Li Feifei1 , Lu Yaoqin2 , Zheng Yanling3 , Zhang Liping3

Keywords:tuberculosis ; seasonal index method ; circular distribution method ; national health examination ; CO⁃VID⁃19 ; interruption time series

DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2025.08.022

〔Abstract〕 To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis in Urumqi and assess the im⁃pact of the national health examination policy , as well as COVID⁃19 prevention and control measures , on tuberculo⁃sis incidence in Xinjiang. Methods The seasonal patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis were examined using the sea⁃sonal index method and circular distribution analysis. An Interrupted Time Series (ITS , Interrupted Time Series) model was employed to investigate how the national health examination policy and COVID⁃19 interventions influ⁃culosis were reported in Urumqi. The peak incidence day occurred on May 25th , indicating a consistently high rate throughout the year, particularly during spring and summer months. The results of the interrupted time series model indicated that the initial monthly incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in Urumqi was 5. 05 per 100 ,000. From January 2013 to September 2016 , the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis showed a slow upward trend , and the upward trend was significant (β1 = 0. 039 ,P < 0. 05) . After the implementation of the universal health check⁃up policy , the incidence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis showed a slow downward trend , and the downward trend was significant(β3 = - 0. 109 ,P < 0. 05) . After the outbreak of the COVID⁃19 epidemic in January 2020 , the inci⁃dence rate of pulmonary tuberculosis in Urumqi first dropped rapidly and then entered a slow upward stage , and the upward trend was significant(β5 = 0. 082 , P < 0. 05) . Conclusion It is recommended that public health authori⁃ties prioritize timely identification of potential TB patients during periods with elevated incidence rates observed in spring and summer months. While significant progress has been made through implementing national health exami ⁃tion. Thus , enhancing surveillance efforts and intervention strategies are essential in adapting to this new normal.