Factors associated with the prevalence of tuberculosis in Cartagena RESUMEN Objetivo: determinar los factores asociados a la prevalencia de tuberculosis en el Distrito de Cartagena. Metodologia: se realizo un estudio analitico de casos y controles. La poblacion objeto de estudio estuvo constituida por 240 personas diagnosticadas con tuberculosis en Cartagena. Se definio como caso toda persona ingresada al programa de control de tuberculosis del Distrito. Se realizo control comunitario a vecinos cercanos en la misma localidad, del mismo sexo, con mas o menos cinco anos de edad que el caso, quienes nunca habian padecido la enfermedad y sin sintomas respiratorios. Se almaceno los datos en el programa estadistico SPSSS version 20.0, se calcularon razones de disparidad para estimar la relacion entre variables. Resultados: participaron del estudio 303 personas (101 casos y 202 controles). Con un promedio de edad de 35.7 anos (DE=17.9), para casos y 40.3 anos (DE=20.3) para controles. Se encontraron como factores asociados a la presencia de tuberculosis el estado de vacunacion con BCG (OR=0.11 IC 95% 0.05 – 0.22), tener pareja estable (OR= 0.54 IC 95% 0.30 – 0.96) y el antecedente familiar de Tuberculosis. (OR=20.97 IC 95%: 6.26 – 70.24). Conclusiones: el fortalecimiento de los programas de promocion y prevencion de tuberculosis a nivel comunitario y familiar, puede mejorar el estado de salud de los individuos. La aplicacion de practicas como la vacunacion de ninos y ninas y las medidas preventivas en el hogar son necesarias para prevenir la aparicion de la enfermedad. Palabras clave: tuberculosis, factores epidemiologicos, factores de riesgo. (Fuente: DeCs). ABSTRAC Objective: to determine the factors associated with the prevalence of tuberculosis in the District of Cartagena. Methods: an analytical study of cases and controls. The study population consisted of 240 people diagnosed with tuberculosis in Cartagena. Cases were defined as all people admitted tuberculosis Control program of the District. Community controls were performed to close neighbors in the same town, the same sex, with about five years old that the case, whose never had the disease and have not respiratory symptoms. Data stored in the statistical program SPSSS version 15, odds ratios were calculated to estimate the relationship between variables. Results: the study included 303 people (101 cases and 202 controls). With an average age of 35.7 years (SD = 17.9) for cases and 40.3 years (SD = 20.3) for controls. Were found as factors associated with the presence of tuberculosis BCG vaccination status (OR = 0.11 95% CI 0.05 to 0.22), having a steady partner (OR = 0.54 95% CI 0.30 to 0.96) and a family history of tuberculosis. (OR = 20.97, 95% CI 6.26 to 70.24). Conclusions: strengthening promotion and prevention programs for tuberculosis at the community and family, can improve the health status of individuals. The application of practices such as vaccination of children and preventive measures at home are needed to prevent the onset of disease. Keywords : tuberculosis, epidemiologic Factors, Risk Factors. (Fuente: DeCs).