Abstract:
Human Immuno deficincy Virus has emerged as a major health and development
concern worldwide. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome was first recognized among homosexu
als in the USA in 1981.The purpose of this study was to assess the level of knowledge on Human I
mmuno deficiency Virus transmission and prevention method and associated factors among prep
aratory school students at kucha woreda , Gamo Zone: Southern Ethiopia. Institution based cross
sectional study design was used. A total of 312 participants were surveyed from this 305 (97.7%)
were responded to the questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive using SPSS software
v.20. Descriptive statistics was done to assess basic student’s characteristics. Bivariate analysis u
sing logistic regression technique was done to see the crude association between the independent
variables and the dependent variable factors that show association in bivariate analysis and whic
h has P value less than 0.2 was entered in to multiple logistic regression models to identify signific
ant factors. In this study educational status of mother (AOR=0.14;CI=0.02-0.93), father(AOR=6.2
3;CI=1.39-27.88) and mother occupation(AOR=10.74;CI=2.11-54.23 were significantly
associated with knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. The result of this study
revealed that all most all students had heard at least one prevention method of hiv/aids prevention
method and transmission. In this study concerning route of transmission majority of the
respondents (97.3%) responded that sharing sharp materials could transmit the infection (93.7%)
percent of the respondents replied that sharing toilet could not transmit HIV/AIDS from someone
who is infected and also concerning prevention methods night four (94%) and 90.4% of the
students responded that condom use and having sex with only one faithful uninfected partner
reduce risk of HIV/AIDS transmission respectively .There is some misconception of hiv/aids
transmission way through mosquito bites. Education programmes with specific intervention are
recommended to increase knowledge on prevention and transmission method.