OBJECTIVE: to explore the willingness of tuberculosis (TB) patients to let their children who live in the same house with TB patients, examined for the possibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. 

METHODS: a cross-sectional research was conducted during May to August 2016 among 54 TB patients in Atma Jaya Hospital, Jakarta. After consent, those who had children living in the same house were asked whether they would screen their children along, why they did not want to screen and some close-ended questions about their social conditions. Chi square and independent t-test were used to analyze data. 

RESULTS:  In total, 54 TB patients who had children living in the same house during the TB infection period were included. Only 31 (57.4%) were willing to let their children be examined. Mean age of the youngest children were 5.9 ± 4 years. These children were still in susceptible age of MTB infection. The unmarried patients (p=0.028), far distance to hospital (p=0.006) were factors that significantly influenced the unwillingness. Patients whose children were their biological daughter/son tended to let their children be examined (p=0.034). Unfortunately, 46% patients lived with extended families so that the children were not their biological daughter/son.  

CONCLUSION: Low intention of adult TB patients should draws attention of heath workers to actively examine household members, especially children to prevent future latent MTB infection. Collaboration with local integrated health post (posyandu) to screen the exposured children may ease case finding in far from hospital area.