eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Biomedical Research 2328-3955 2013-08-12 1 1 80 85 10.12691/ajbr-1-4-3 AJBR2013143 article A. O. Iyamu 1 Onyeneke E. C 2 J. E. Ugheoke 3 W. A. Adisa williamsadewumi@yahoo.com 4 N. Akpede 5 O. Aigbe 5 G. Oko-Oboh 6 Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria Department of biochemistry, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria Department of Internal Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria Department of Community Health, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria Tuberculosis is a re-emergent disease of great epidemiological concern with the directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) recommended by the World Health Organization falling short of targeted expectations. The aim was to compare the impact of socioeconomic, disease, and biochemical factors on the decision of patients to return to (comply with) the six-month treatment schedule. Effects of education, age, occupational and marital (socioeconomic) and biochemical (drug side effects and values of biochemical indices of liver function) factors were compared between 52 SLR and 49 SNR patients. The results suggest that socioeconomic factors play a more prominent role than factors related to drug side effects in determining whether a patient returns to treatment after initial stoppage. A more integrated multi-disciplinary approach to DOTS administration with professional and social inputs is recommended http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajbr/1/4/3/ajbr-1-4-3.pdf adherence tuberculosis regime socioeconomic liver enzymes