Ismael, Shabbir(PhD)Lemma, Eyob2018-07-132023-11-052018-07-132023-11-052000-12http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8548There is an understanding that effective HJV / AIDS prevention programs should be based on the models and theories of behavior change so that the programs can be designed to change those factors which lead to the Lmdesirable risk behaviors and maintain the desirable once. With the objectives of determining HIV / AIDS related sex ual behaviors and assessing their relation with variables derived from the classical models of health behavior, a study using a pre-tested selfadministered questiOlUlaire to collect information from a random sample of six hundred and sixty high school students was conducted in Jimma town on March 2000. Among the high school students 6.7% of female students and I 1.2% of male students were found to have involved in sexual activity with worst lifetime sexual behavior index. Of the sexually active students the rate of unprotected sexual intercourse and intercourse with more than one sexual pminer in the past year were 81. 7% and 19.3%, respectively. There is a significant gender difference in HIV -related risk sexual act and belief-intention factors. Higher propOliions of males were involved in these high-risk sexual acts. Independent and significant predictors of intention to limit sexual paltners were perceived barriers and normative belief for female students and normative belief and perceived behavioral control for male students. On the other hand, knowing an individual who has/had HIV / AIDS, motivation to comply, normative belief, and perceived behavioral conh'ol for females; while only perceived susceptibility and perceived behavioral control for males independently and significantly predicted the intention to use condom in the next sexual intercourse. It was concluded that high school students are at risk of HIV infection because of the high-risk behaviors they have. Pattems of gender difference are found and theOly-driven and gender appropriate educational interventions and researches are recommended. iienPredictors of HIVI AIDS Related Sexual BehaviorsThesis