Fletcher, M. (PhD)Teklu, Abraham2022-03-172023-11-052022-03-172023-11-051991-04http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/30646A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 355 randomlyselected urban male residents in Arba Minch town , southwestern Ethiopia , to investigate their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to HIV transmission and prevention , with emphasis on condom use. About half ( 48.8% ) of sexually- experienced respondents reported one or more high-risk sexual practices. More than a fifth (22.0%) had had sex with several partners in the previous three months , and 42.3% had experienced sex with prostitutes, including 11.1% in the previous three months. Extramarital sex and sex with prostitutes in the previous three months were reported by 14.5% and 7.7% of married participants, respectively. Age (P<O .Ol ) and occupation (P<O.OOl), and age (P<O.Ol) and current marital status (P<O.Ol), respectively , were associated with sex with prostitutes ever and sex with prostitutes during the previous 3 months. About one fifth(21.4%) of sexually- experienced men reported ever having used condoms , including 9.6% reporting consistent use of condoms. Condom use was significantly associated with age , education , and occupation (P<O.OOOI for all three). Significantly higher rates of condom use were found in those who reported one or more risk behaviours (P<O. 001 ), as compared to those who reported none. Condom use was also strongly associated with knowledge about its role in AIDS prevention(P<O.Ol ). Almost half(43.3% ) of condom non- users didn't know what condoms were. A majority of respondents(93.8%) had heard about AIDS, while 67.4% had heard about condoms. only 57.3% of respondents knew about the role of condoms in AIDS prevention. A majority of respondents knew about HIV transmission through sex (97.6%), and from prostitutes t o clients (99.1%). However, wrong beliefs were also common (10.9-23 . 9%). Over half(53.0%) of the respondents perceived self-risk for HIV infection, of which 81.7% reported having changed their sexual behaviours. The association between perception of risk and change of behaviour was statistically significant(P<O.OOOOl ) .Those who reported one or more high-risk practices were also significantly more likely to perceive self-risk and report changes in behaviour , than those who denied any of the risk factors. The potential for improvement of the situation through a carefully planned and targeted educational intervention and through utilization of every available media, is very high.enHIV Transmission and PreventionThesis