Deribe Leul(PhD)Adugna Haweni (MSc)Kene Chala2020-11-182023-11-062020-11-182023-11-062020-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/23362Background: Self-efficacy related to the individuals‟ beliefs in their abilities to have more control over their motives, behaviors, and most importantly, over their social environment. It is strongest predictors for HIV prevention. However, there were limited evidences on level of HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy and factors associated, among undergraduate students of Ethiopia generally and in the study area particularly. Objective: To assess level of HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy and associated factors among regular undergraduate students of Madda Walabu University, Southeast Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted from February 15 to 20, 2020. Single population proportion formula was used to calculate the sample size. After adding 15% of non-response rate, the final sample size was found to be 442. Simple random sampling technique was implemented to recruit the participants. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered into EpiData version 4.6.0.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Odds ratio with 95 % confidence interval was computed to determine the level of significance. Result: The mean level of HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy among regular undergraduate students of Madda Walabu University was found to be 74.58+19.98.Being female [AOR=1.76(1.04-2.81)], in field of health science [AOR= 1.92(1.10-3.36)], insecond year of study [AOR=2.77(1.55-4.94)] and drinking alcohol [AOR=2.9(1.61- 5.23)] were found to be factors associated with higher HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Whereas, exposed to pornography [AOR=0.53(0.33-0.85)] was found to be factor associated with lower HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. Conclusion and Recommendation: The mean HIV /AIDS preventive self-efficacy of the participants in this study area was found to be low. Sex, field of study, year of study, drinking alcohol and ever had watched pornography were factors found to be significantly associated with HIV/AIDS preventive self-efficacy. The study found more than half of the participants (51.4%) were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. However, the finding showed significant number of participants involved in risk behaviors. All staff should be cooperative in educating their students to boost their self-efficacy.en-USHIV/AIDS, University Students, Self-efficacyThesis