The prevalence rate of active tuberculosis in the population as of June 30, 2003 was calculated to be 144 per 100,000. Which of the following values reflects this rate?

The prevalence rate of active tuberculosis in the population as of June 30, 2003 was calculated to be 144 per 100,000. Which of the following values reflects this rate?

• A. 14 per 100,000
• B. 130 per 100,000
• C. 144 per 100,000
• D. 264 per 100,000

Answer: (C)

Prevalence rate shows how many people have a condition at a specific point in time, expressed per a standard population size, usually per 100,000. If the calculated rate is 144 per 100,000, that is the exact value used to describe how many active TB cases exist in the population on that date. In other words, for every 100,000 people, 144 have active TB. This also corresponds to about 0.144% of the population. The other numbers would not match the given per-100,000 rate.

Prevalence rate shows how many people have a condition at a specific point in time, expressed per a standard population size, usually per 100,000. If the calculated rate is 144 per 100,000, that is the exact value used to describe how many active TB cases exist in the population on that date. In other words, for every 100,000 people, 144 have active TB. This also corresponds to about 0.144% of the population. The other numbers would not match the given per-100,000 rate.