The Role of Chest X-ray in Tuberculosis Detection for High School Students in China: A Cross-sectional Study

Background In China, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) screening for children and adolescents is not only focused on family contacts, but also students in high schools. The research objective is to investigate chest X-ray (CXR) abnormalities and its risk factors. Methods From January 2022 to December 2022, PTB screening was conducted among 24577 Senior 1 and Senior 2 students in Chongqing using the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and CXR. Results The detection rate for suspected PTB through CXR was 0.5% (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.3%-0.8%), and the detection rate for PTB through CXR was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.2%-0.6%). Participants in Southeast Districts were more likely to develop PTB (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR], 9.6; 95% CI, 1.3–70.4). Conclusions CXR has played a significant role in PTB screening in high schools in the Chongqing. It is necessary to strengthen policy support for the Southeast Districts in Chongqing.