Abstract: Objective To explore the causes of prior irregular treatment among the re-treatment pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) cases. Method Face to face interview was conducted to the re-treatment TB patients with the prior irregular treatment by using the designed questionnaire. Result The first main cause of prior irregular treatment among the re-treatment TB patients was to stop treatment when they felt better,and the second was economic barrier. Conclusion In order to increase the compliance of the patients to the treatment,reduce the occurrence of re-treatment and drug resistant cases,the most effective measure is DOTS,the second is to provide free treatment to TB patients and reduce their economic burden,and the third is to strengthen the health education to TB patients and improve their correct awareness on TB knowledge,especially on TB treatment.

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis/drug therapy