ObjectiveTo investigate the situation of tuberculosis (TB) infection in primary and middle school students and to provide scientific basis for TB prevention and control in Nyingchi. MethodsPrimary and middle school students in Nyingchi were investigated from 2006 to 2008 using a questionnaire, and purified protein derivative (PPD) tests were carried out among the sampling students. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS 13.0. ResultsIn 3 987 included primary and middle students, the positive, strongly positive and overall positive rates of PPD were 11.4%, 5.1%, 16.5%, respectively. Five patients with TB were found in the investigation, and the prevalence was 125.4 per 100 000. The positive and strongly positive rates were 11.3% and 4.4% in male, 11.5% and 5.7% in female, respectively. The positive and strongly positive rates were 6.9% and 3.9% in primary school students, 18.8%, 7.1% in middle school students, respectively. Both the positive rate and strongly positive rate in middle school students were higher than those in primary school students (P < 0.05). The positive rates in town, village and floating population were 16.5%, 9.5%, 8.9%, respectively, and their strongly positive rates were 6.1%, 4.8%, 1.4%, respectively. Both the positive rate and strongly positive rate in town were higher than those in village and floating population (P < 0.05). The strongly positive rates in Tibetan, the Han nationality and other ethnic minorities were 5.2%, 4.0%, 6.0%, respectively. The strongly positive rates in Tibetan and other ethnic minorities were higher than those in the Han nationality (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe infection and prevalence rate of TB of primary and middle school students in Nyingchi are fairly high. TB prevention and control for the high-risk populations should be strengthened in primary and middle schools in Nyingchi.