ABSTRACT
An analytical, retrospective, and observational study was conducted aimed at identifying the risk factor associated with the development of tuberculosis in the intradomiciliary adult contacts of the sputum-positive carriers. One hundred twenty four subjects living with pulmonary tuberculosis patients were studied from January 1st 1997 to December 31st 2000, in Habana Vieja Municipality. 8% of the individuals living with tuberculosis patients with positive bacilloscopy got sick. The close contact with the index case from 7 to 59 months was a risk factor to catch the disease. Other risk factors identified were overcrowding, insufficient natural lightning, and inappropriate ventilation, which were present in 70% of the cohabiting subjects that got ill.