BACKGROUND:
Adherence to Antiretroviral (ARVs) is an essential requirement for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, defaulting to ARV is a worldwide problem with a default rate of 12.1% globally, in Africa 79.4%, and in Lesotho it ranges between 20-30% in men. To effectively tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Lesotho, it is necessary to address the several complex problems that hinder adherence to ARVs among men.

METHODS:
This study used a qualitative research approach to collect data from men aged 18 years and above receiving health services at the Maseru Seventh Day Adventist clinic Lesotho through a homogenous sampling method. The principal investigator used semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews to collect audio-recorded (with participants' permission) data.

RESULTS:
The researcher interviewed a total of 10 ART male clients. Of the 10 clients, all of them in the past year had defaulted on their ARV'S. Overall, participants identified four factors that influence most men to default on their ARVs: individual factors, socio-economic factors, culturally related factors, and health systems-related factors. The main reason for defaulting from ARVs was the employment status quo of men mostly those working in South Africa, as most could not adhere to their check-ups due to work. These results provide insight into how most men perceive the facility and what influences them to default on ARVs.

CONCLUSIONS:
The in-depth interviews recommended that to decrease defaulting, counselling sessions be strengthened, and support groups with a male affiliation be established. Cross-border relationships will assist most men in accessing their ARVs while in South Africa and other SADC countries. More workplace wellness strategies and policies must be implemented in formal and informal workplaces to aid men with ARVs at their working stations.