Background: Botswana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with 32% of pregnant women and 24% of adults in the general population living with HIV. Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) or HIV/AIDS treatment is widely available in the public sector in Botswana, not all treatment-eligible patients utilise the services in a timely manner. The study aims to identify the factors associated with the intention of already screened HIV positive/AIDS patients, who met the government criteria, to enrol into the HIV treatment programme in Lobatse, Botswana.

Methods:A Cross-sectional descriptive study was used, conducted at the Infectious Disease Control Clinic, Athlone Hospital, Lobatse over a 6-month period. A questionnaire was administered on systematically sampled participants, who met Botswana National antiretroviral treatment or HIV/AIDS treatment guidelines.

Results: A total of 342 participants were enrolled,mostly female (67.3%) and single (50%). Majority of the participants were age 35-44 years (17%), attained up to primary level education (44%) and were mostly unemployed (54%).A majority (59%)intended to enroll into ART or HIV/AIDS treatment programme due to sickness, while others were motivated by voluntary testing and counseling (24%). The majority of the respondents received post-test counseling (97.3%) and most was motivated to seek ART or HIV/AIDS treatment (88.3%). Only (60%) disclosed their status to their relative. Although most participants (59.6%) were willing to be linked to care and support, most (65.1%) were ignorant of support groups and services available for them.