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Introduction: Patients’ medication taking behavior can be influenced by multiple factors. Such factors can vary between settings and patients. Gaining an insight into difficulties encountered by the patients and their motivation to take medications can aid in developing strategies to promote adherence.

Objective: To explore patients’ knowledge regarding their Anti-Retroviral therapy, and investigate difficulties and motivations associated with ART consumption.

Materials and Method: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients who came to refill their prescription of anti-retroviral pills, in ART Clinic of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, using structured questionnaires.  

Result: Participants were mostly male (64.22%) and aged between 22-49 years (93.58%). Knowledge about ART varied from good to moderate in the majority (81%). About 44% of patients depended on the shape and size of container/ pills for identifying their ARV pills, and 53% perceived it difficult to take their medications as prescribed. Lack of easy access to medications, fear of disclosure and financial problem were the most reported difficulties associated with anti-retroviral consumption. Almost 57% of patients reported that they would avoid taking their medications in front of others; 14% of the patients reported missing their ARV pills over last month. Desire to living long and healthy life and prevent opportunistic infections motivated patients to take medications. Few felt they had no choice but to take their medications. 

Conclusion: Appropriate strategies to increase patients’ knowledge, simplify regimen and to motivate them to take medications regularly is necessary to facilitate adherence to ART in this population.

Adherence; anti-retroviral therapy; difficulties; HIV/AIDS; motivation.