Abstract:Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Hunan Province during 2017-2021, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating the provincial prevention and control policies. Methods The data about the reported cards of PTB epidemic situation and the number of permanent residents in Hunan Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected through China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention, and the reported incidence rate and composition ratio of PTB were calculated in combination with the report classification, population characteristics and other information. SPSS18.0 software was used to statistically analyze the epidemic features of PTB. Results A total of 264,325 cases of active PTB were reported in Hunan Province from 2017 to 2021, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 77.42/100,000. The overall reported incidence rate of active PTB showed a slow downward trend (χ2trend=38.239, P<0.001). The annual incidence peak of the disease was mainly concentrated in January and March, showing a trend of low in the east but high in the central and west. Zhangjiajie, Hengyang and Loudi ranked the top three cities and prefecture in terms of the reported incidence rate. The reported incidence rates in Hengyang City and Shaoyang City showed an upward trend, with an annual decreasing rate of -5.70% (χ2trend=109.554, P<0.001) and -2.30% (χ2trend=22.859, P<0.001). The age of onset was concentrated in 40-79 years, and the highest proportion was found in the age group of 60 years (22.72%). The incidence rate was higher in the males than in the females, and the male-to-female incidence rate ratio was 2.57:1. The occupational distribution showed that the proportion of farmers was the highest, accounting for 73.97%, followed by house workers and the unemployment (7.45%), retirees (5.16%) and students (4.58%). Conclusion The reported incidence rates of PTB in Hunan Province during 2017-2021 showed a slow downward trend, but they were was still far higher than the national average. The task about PTB prevention and control is arduous, moreover, there are differences among different regions, time periods and populations.