Objectives: To determine the frequency and epidemiological factors related with the tuberculin test reactivity in household contacts of tuberculosis patients in four hospitals of the Andean city of Huanuco (Peru). Material and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out since April 2006 to January 2007 with 390 household contacts were considered. The tuberculin test was performed with induration reading at 48 hours, the Mantoux test was used. Patients with negative readings (induration < 10 mm) were subjected to another test four weeks later. Bivariate and multivariate associations were explored, tuberculin test reactivity was the outcome. Results: The reactivity frequency to the tuberculin test in the four hospitals amounted to 64.6% among household contacts. Only the presence of pulmonary TB [OR = 2.6 (95% CI = 1.35 - 4.84) p = 0.004], age ≥ 25 years [OR = 3.5 (95% CI = 2.15 - 5.67) p < 0.001] and time living together ≥ 1 year [OR = 1.9 (95% CI = 1.11 - 3.33) p = 0.020] were related to tuberculin test reactivity. Conclusions: The frequency of the tuberculin test reactivity in household contacts in four hospitals of the city of Huanuco was 64.6%. Independently related factors were pulmonary TB, age ≥ 25 years, and time living together ≥ 1 year.