Hailemariam, Assefa (PhD)Tesfaye, Girma2018-08-062023-11-182018-08-062023-11-182008-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/11045Available studies indicate that, sometimes people do not perceive their risk of HIV adequately and therefore, they are less motivated to protect themselves and others from HIV infection. In Dessie town, as in many other Ethiopian towns, city and other settings of the world, the sexual behaviors and self assessment of the risk of HIVinfection of the current cohort of young people will strongly influence the course of HIVIAIDS The purpose of this study is to identifY the socio-economic and behavioral factors that affect risk perception of HIV infection among young adults in the age 15- 29 years. Method: This study is a cross-sectional survey research that was conducted in Amhara Region, Dessie town form15 February to 15 March 2008. A total of 721 youths in the age group 15-29 were selected using cluster sampling method followed by simple random sampling method. A self-administered structured questionnaire, FGDs and interview with key informants were used to collect the required data from the study participants. The data were edited, coded entered, cleaned and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis with SPSs. Results show that about half of the study participants are sexually experienced. Of these, 55.6% had sex with one partner only, about a quarter used condoms consistently and about 19% had multiple sexual partners and did not use condom. Nearly 12% of the sexually active participants had ever contracted at least one STls. Overall, 7% of males and 11.5% offemales perceived high risk of HIV infection; and 12% of male and 15.8% of female respondents perceive themselves to have a moderate chance of gelling HIV. In general, female respondents were considerably more likely than males to report themselves at a higher risk of HIV infection. Sex, exposure to media, religiosity, age at first sex, the number of life time partners, age difference between partners, condom use, taking HIV test, are found to be the predictors of risk perception of HIV infection among young adults in Dessie town. Conclusiolls: The findings of this study provide justification for intervention targeting on key factors that influence the risk perception of HIV infection. Providing the necessary information in a way that could bring about behavioral change among the young adults is recommended. 11enfactors that influence the risk perception of HIV infectionThesis