Tuberculosis attributed to household contacts in the Philippines.

Data on the burden of disease from tuberculosis (TB) in Filipino households are limited. To determine the magnitude of undiagnosed TB in TB households, and the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with TB in the Philippines, household contacts of adult smear-positive TB patients seen from July 2001 to June 2003 were assessed based on interview, chest X-ray, tuberculin skin test and sputum examination. History of TB and older age were independently associated with TB disease, and age and duration of cohabitation with TB infection. TB and TB infection are highly prevalent in TB households in the Philippines.