Understanding sexual risk taking behaviour in Hong Kong university students. A health promotion perspective

BACKGROUND: Levels of sexual experience among Chinese university students are considerably lower than in western countries. Measuring sexual risk-taking behavior of Chinese students is important in designing any effective preventive health programs. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with high-risk sexual behavior among students in a Hong Kong university. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey conducted among year 1 and year 3 Chinese undergraduate students in 1997, using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 1197 students surveyed, only 11% were sexually active (ever had sexual intercourse). Reported sexual activity was higher among year 3 (17%) than year 1 (6.6%) students and higher among males (14.4%) than females (8.3%). Consistent (always) use of condoms was reported by only 43% of the sexually active respondents. Males were more likely to think that premarital sex was acceptable than were females. About 1 in 20 students (55 of 1197) were categorized as belonging to a "greater risk behavior" group, defined by inconsistent or nonuse of condoms during sexual intercourse and having had three or more sexual partners in the past 3 months, or having has sex with prostitutes or ever having a sexually transmitted disease, or using alcohol or other stimulating drugs during sexual intercourse. Males with favorable attitudes toward premarital sex were more likely to belong to the greater risk behavior group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the potential risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases among a substantial proportion of university students, suggesting the need for promotion of preventive education programs.     

School-Based Health Center Access,Reproductive Health Care,and Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Experienced High School Students

PurposeThe current analyses compared receipt of reproductive health care, contraceptive use, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among adolescents who are sexually experienced, with or without access to a school clinic.MethodsA total of 12 urban California high schools, selected from areas with high teen pregnancy and STD rates, half with school-based health centers (SBHCs), participated in an intervention study designed to improve sexual health among adolescents. Of the participating students, 44% indicated that they had ever had intercourse and were included in these analyses.ResultsAccess to an SBHC did not influence receipt of reproductive health care for either males or females and did not influence contraceptive use, either hormonal or condoms, for males. For females, however, those with access to an SBHC had increased odds of having received pregnancy or disease prevention care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16–1.80), having used hormonal contraceptives at last sex (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.24–2.28), and were more likely to have ever been screened for an STD (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.43–2.40). Also among female students, those with access to an SBHC were more likely to have used emergency contraception at last sex (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.08–4.22).ConclusionAlthough access to an on-site clinic does not seem to lead to increases in all types of reproductive care in the population as a whole, sexually active females are more likely to have received more specific care and to have used hormonal contraceptives if their school has an SBHC.     

Using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to Estimate Prevalence of Sexual Abuse Among Oregon High School Students

ABSTRACT: To estimate the extent of childhood sexual abuse, questions were added to the 1993 Oregon Youth Risk Behavior Survey of students in grades 9–12. Twenty-five high schools throughout Oregon participated in the survey. Among the 2,332 students who answered sexual abuse questions, 20.9% had ever been sexually abused; females (33.1%) were much more likely to have ever been abused than were males (8.1%). Females (10.3%) also were more likely than males (3.4%) to have been sexually abused within the past year. High school students sexually abused in the past year engaged in many high risk health behaviors such as weapon carrying, substance abuse, seriously considering suicide in the past year, and sexual activity when compared with students who had never been sexually abused. Further educational efforts with teachers, health care providers, parents, and child care providers, as well as development and use of school curricula, are needed to reduce sexual abuse.     

Sexual Fluidity and Related Attitudes and Beliefs Among Young Adults with a Same-Gender Orientation

Little research has examined whether experiencing sexual fluidity—changes over time in attractions and sexual orientation identity—is related to specific cognitions. This study explored attitudes and beliefs among sexually fluid and non-sexually fluid individuals and developed two new measures of sexuality beliefs based on Diamond’s sexual fluidity research and Dweck’s psychological theory of intelligence beliefs. Participants were 188 female and male young adults in the United States with a same-gender orientation, ages 18–26 years. Participants completed an online questionnaire which assessed sexual fluidity in attractions and sexual orientation identity, attitudes toward bisexuality, sexuality beliefs, and demographics. Sexual fluidity in attractions was reported by 63 % of females and 50 % of males, with 48 % of those females and 34 % of those males reporting fluidity in sexual orientation identity. No significant gender differences in frequency of sexual fluidity were observed. Sexually fluid females had more positive attitudes toward bisexuality than non-sexually fluid females; however, no significant difference was observed for males. Females were more likely than males to endorse sexual fluidity beliefs and to believe that sexuality is changeable; and sexually fluid persons were more likely than non-sexually fluid persons to hold those two beliefs. Among males, non-sexually fluid individuals were more likely than sexually fluid individuals to believe that sexuality is something an individual is born with. Females were more likely than males to endorse the belief that sexuality is influenced by the environment. Findings from this research link sexual fluidity with specific cognitions.     

Sex Risk Behavior Among Adolescent and Young Adult Children of Opiate Addicts: Outcomes From the Focus on Families Prevention Trial and an Examination of Childhood and Concurrent Predictors of Sex Risk Behavior

This study reports on rates and predictors of sex risk behavior among a sample of adolescent and young adult children of parents enrolled in methadone treatment for opiate addiction. Data are from 151 participants (80 males, 71 females) in the Focus on Families (FOF) project, a randomized trial of a family intervention and a study of the development of at-risk children. The study participants are children of parents enrolled in methadone treatment between 1990 and 1993. Participants were interviewed in 2005 when they ranged in age from 15 to 29 years. In the year prior to the follow-up, 79 % of the males and 83 % of females were sexually active, 26 % of males and 10 % of females had more than one partner in the prior year, and 34 % of males and 24 % of females reported having sex outside of a committed relationship. Twenty-four percent of males and 17 % of females met criteria for high-risk sexual behavior, reporting casual or multiple partners in the prior year and inconsistent condom use. Participants in the intervention and control conditions did not differ significantly in terms of any measure of sex risk behavior examined. None of the measures of parent behavior and family processes derived from data at baseline of the FOF study predicted whether participants engaged in high-risk sex. Among measures derived from data collected at long-term follow-up, however, having ever met criteria for substance abuse or dependence predicted greater likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior, and being married or being in a romantic relationship was associated with lower likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior. The findings point to the important role of committed relationships in regulating sex risk behavior among this population, as well as heightened levels of sex risk behavior associated with substance abuse or dependence.

     

Adolescent emergency contraception usage,knowledge, and perception

ObjectiveWe sought to describe the current usage patterns, knowledge regarding, and perception of emergency contraception in adolescent patients.Study designWe surveyed female patients ages 14 to 21 seen at the Pediatric and Gynecology Clinic regarding emergency contraception. We posed questions to understand adolescent awareness, personal usage, and means of obtaining emergency contraception. We also explored respondent knowledge of emergency contraception and potential barriers to access.ResultsOf 261 patients approached, 253 completed the survey with a mean age of 16.7 ± 1.7 years. The majority of respondents (80.2%) had heard of oral emergency contraceptive pills. Among sexually active adolescents, 25.6 % reported personal use. Older adolescents (≥18 years) were more likely to have heard of emergency contraceptive pills, to know someone who used them, and to have used it themselves compared to younger adolescents (all p < 0.05). A minority of respondents knew that emergency contraception could be bought over the counter regardless of age or gender (44.3%) and that parental consent is not required (27.7%). Having ever been sexually active was associated with an increased odds of being correct with regards to the availability and timing of LNG EC. A history of LNG EC use was associated with an increased likelihood of understanding the mechanism of action and side effects of LNG EC.ConclusionsThough adolescents in our population were aware of emergency contraception, only a small portion had used it themselves. Misunderstandings regarding the availability and safety of emergency contraception were common in our population.ImplicationsEducating adolescents on the availability, safety, and mechanism of action of LNG EC may improve utilization of LNG EC in this population.     

Sex Risk Behavior Among Adolescent and Young Adult Children of Opiate Addicts: Outcomes From the Focus on Families Prevention Trial and an Examination of Childhood and Concurrent Predictors of Sex Risk Behavior

This study reports on rates and predictors of sex risk behavior among a sample of adolescent and young adult children of parents enrolled in methadone treatment for opiate addiction. Data are from 151 participants (80 males, 71 females) in the Focus on Families (FOF) project, a randomized trial of a family intervention and a study of the development of at-risk children. The study participants are children of parents enrolled in methadone treatment between 1990 and 1993. Participants were interviewed in 2005 when they ranged in age from 15 to 29 years. In the year prior to the follow-up, 79 % of the males and 83 % of females were sexually active, 26 % of males and 10 % of females had more than one partner in the prior year, and 34 % of males and 24 % of females reported having sex outside of a committed relationship. Twenty-four percent of males and 17 % of females met criteria for high-risk sexual behavior, reporting casual or multiple partners in the prior year and inconsistent condom use. Participants in the intervention and control conditions did not differ significantly in terms of any measure of sex risk behavior examined. None of the measures of parent behavior and family processes derived from data at baseline of the FOF study predicted whether participants engaged in high-risk sex. Among measures derived from data collected at long-term follow-up, however, having ever met criteria for substance abuse or dependence predicted greater likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior, and being married or being in a romantic relationship was associated with lower likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior. The findings point to the important role of committed relationships in regulating sex risk behavior among this population, as well as heightened levels of sex risk behavior associated with substance abuse or dependence.     

Awareness and Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Secondary School Students in Two German Cities

Several western countries have reported increases of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia since the mid-1990s, especially among teenagers 16–19 years old. We conducted a school-based survey to assess awareness and knowledge of STDs among students attending the 8th grade and above in Bremen and Bremerhaven, two cities in northern Germany. Between October and December 2011 students completed an anonymous questionnaire on awareness and knowledge of STDs in 8 different schools. To assess awareness of STDs, the students were asked to indicate which STDs they had heard of. Knowledge of STDs was assessed based on 4 general questions. Furthermore, comprehensive awareness of HPV was assessed based on 3 items. We assessed differences in HPV awareness and knowledge of STDs by key demographic variables such as age, gender and migrant background. A total of 1,148 students aged 12–20 years (response 28 %) completed the questionnaire. 31 % had a migrant background and 55 % were girls. Almost all students had heard of HIV/AIDS, but only 23 % of chlamydia and 13 % of HPV. Significantly more girls than boys had heard of HPV (18 vs. 8 %) and chlamydia (31 vs. 16 %). Generally, low levels of STD knowledge and awareness of HPV were observed. In multivariable analyses, age, gender, and ever having had sex were associated with both STD knowledge and awareness of HPV. HIV/AIDS remains the only sexually transmitted disease most students have heard of. Sex education at school needs to be broadened to include STDs other than HIV/AIDS.     

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Risk Behaviors Among California Farmworkers: Results From a Population-Based Survey

ABSTRACT:  Context: The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and associated risk behaviors among California farmworkers is not well described. Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and associated risk behaviors among California farmworkers. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of population-based survey data from 6 California agricultural regions was performed for participants tested for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (GC), and syphilis, and who completed an interviewer-administered behavioral risk factor survey. Findings: Among the 403 males and 234 females examined and interviewed, males (29.3%) were more likely than females (9.6%) to have had 2 or more sex partners in the past 5 years. Forty-two percent of males ever had sex with a commercial sex worker; unmarried males were more likely than married males to report sex with a commercial sex worker in the past 2 years. Twelve percent of males and 5% of females reported ever having had an STD. Most participants did not report any methods to protect against STDs. Of 192 males and 178 females tested for CT, 3 males and no females were positive. No cases of GC were found. Of 387 males and 194 females tested for syphilis, 4 males and 1 female had positive rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) results. Conclusions: In this population-based survey among agricultural workers, there was low STD prevalence but high prevalence of sexual risk behaviors, particularly among males.     

Sexually transmitted diseases and condoms: high school students' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours

Researchers conducted a survey of 199 students enrolled 2 public high schools in Alberta in Canada to learn of their knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and knowledge, attitude, and behaviors about condoms and their use. 41% were sexually active. 41% of these students did not or rarely used condoms. 44% had =or+ 3 partners. 61% of those with =or+ 3 partners used condoms and 56% with 1 partner used them. Knowledge of STDs and condom use stood high regardless of sex or sexual activity. 93% of the boys, 80% of the girls, 88% of sexually active and 87% of nonsexually active students stated it was their responsibility to carry condoms if they are sexually active. Moreover 96% of the boys, 78% of the girls, 81% of sexually active and 91% of nonsexually active students said they would use a condom during sexual intercourse. Nevertheless males and sexually active students did express some negative attitudes towards condoms, such as reduce sensation and interference with sexual spontaneity. Nonsexually active students tended to view condom use as a negative stigma (p.05). Most students claimed to be more likely to buy condoms from condom vending machines in the rest rooms than from stores (p.05). Sexual partners had the largest influence on students, especially sexually active students, to have or not have sexual intercourse followed by concerns about STDs, friends, and family. Further, the large majority of all students, especially females and sexually active students, said they would choose their sexual partner carefully because of the concern for AIDS and other STDs. They also tended to be monogamous and avoided high risk groups. In conclusion, no reliable differences occurred between attitudes towards condoms and use or nonuse of condoms to explain behavior. Future studies should be designed to center on factors that influence sexual behavior.     

Fertility knowledge and intentions to have children in a national study of Australian secondary school students

Objective: This paper reports on fertility knowledge and intentions to have children among a national sample of students in years 10–12. Method: Data were from the Fifth National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health. Students identified factors that could affect fertility, if they wanted children and at what age. Results: Most students wanted to have children (77%). Of those who wanted children or were unsure (n=1,780), 54% were able to identify six of eight factors that could affect fertility. Male students had poorer knowledge than females. Poorer knowledge was also reported by male students who were born overseas or used marijuana and by female students who were sexually active or religious. More than half the students (59%) wanted their first child aged 25–29, while 19% wanted their first child after 30. Intentions to have children at an earlier age were associated with being religious, sexually active (females), and using marijuana (males). Students not exclusively attracted to the opposite sex were more likely to want children at an older age. Conclusions and implications: Most students typically want children in their late 20s. Many were unaware of factors that could affect their fertility and there was a mismatch between intentions and likely behaviour. These factors could be addressed as part of relationship education.     

大学生性病感染影响因素研究

目的调查大学生性病患病及其影响因素。方法分析对象来自于浙江省某市高校大学生性行为问卷调查。对2540名已经发生性行为,并回答了是否曾经被诊断为性病的学生,被纳入分析。结果在2540名已经有性行为的学生中,39(1.5%)名学生报告曾经被诊断患过性病。在多因素逻辑回归分析中,排除可能的混杂回素,有一个以上的性伴侣,有过肛门性交的历史,自己或性伴侣怀孕和流产的经历,认为感染性病的可能性"可能/较高/很高",依然显示与被诊断为性病有显著性关联。结论必须尽快在大学生中间开展性病预防工作。防止性病传播不仅需要传播相关知识,还需倡导推迟性行为的发生,减少性伴侣数,每次性行为均要正确使用安全套,以及预防非计划怀孕和人工流产等综合性的措施,同时提供有效的性病诊疗服务。     

Sexual experience,birth control usage,and sex education of unmarried Canadian university students: Changes between 1968 and 1978

Changes in coital experience, birth control usage, and sex education between 1968, 1971, 1974, and 1978 were studied in unmarried Canadian university students. The percentage of coitally experienced females increased from 32% in 1968 to 58% in 1978 and of males from 40% to 62%. There was no significant change between 1974 and 1978 for either sex, nor were there sex differences in coital experience in either year. Coitally experienced females were more likely to have had intercourse in the 3 months preceding both 1974 and 1978 surveys, but otherwise there were no sex differences in coital frequency, lifetime number of coital partners, or age at first intercourse. Religion was a more reliable indicator of coital experience in 1968 than in 1978. Males were more likely than females to report postpubertal sexual contacts which they classified as homosexual (16.5% vs. 7%) whereas 12–13% of both sexes reported no sexual contacts of any kind with another person. Contraceptive risk-taking was high at first intercourse and among those having infrequent coitus. However, both this group and more coitally active students were less likely to take such risks in 1978 than in 1968, almost entirely because of increased pill use. Coitally experienced vs. inexperienced students differed in their ranking of the major influences on their knowledge and attitudes about sex.The surveys were funded in part by the following agencies: the Student Health Organization of the University of Toronto (1968), the International Forum Foundation (1968), the Canadian edition of Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality (1974), the University of Toronto Health Service (1974), and Family Planning Division, Health and Welfare Canada (1978).     

Perceptions regarding preventive sexual practices and communication with sexual partners among Chinese college students

PURPOSE: To assess the relation between Chinese college students' perceptions and attitudes regarding preventive sexual behaviors, their sexual knowledge, and their use of protective sexual behaviors. METHODS: A subsample of 133 sexually active college students (18-25 years old) was obtained to identify factors related to protective sexual behaviors (e.g., knowledge of partner's sexual history, condom use). RESULTS: Seventy-five percent of the sexually active students were male. Significantly more females had discussed AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) issues with their partners and had asked their partners about their sexual histories than males. Students endorsing the use of preventive behaviors were more likely to have discussed AIDS issues with their partners, used condoms, and known their partner's sexual history. CONCLUSIONS: Student perceptions about preventive behaviors have a significant impact on their knowledge of their sexual partners and their own sexual behaviors. These findings, as well as the presence of significant gender differences in perceptions and communications with their partners, have major implications for risk reduction programs.     

Perceptions of Zika Virus Prevention Among College Students in Florida

Zika virus in Florida prompted a strong public health response, due to its causal association with birth defects. While primarily spread by mosquitos, Zika can be transmitted sexually. The spread of Zika may influence reproductive behaviors among sexually active persons in Florida. This study examined factors associated with willingness to change birth control method use in response to Zika virus among college women and men in Florida. Women and men ages 18–44 at a Florida university (N?=?328) were surveyed about Zika knowledge, beliefs about Zika, use of contraceptives and condoms, and socio-demographics between November 2016–April 2017. The outcome variable was willingness to change birth control method were Zika in their area. Logistic regression models in SAS 9.4 were used. Most participants were women (80%), and 47% were 20–22 years old. Only 27% of participants said they would change their birth control method if Zika were in their area. Participants who knew that Zika was sexually transmitted were more likely to be willing to change their birth control method (aOR?=?1.71, 95%CI 1.01–2.91). Participants who agreed or strongly agreed that they were fearful of being infected with Zika virus were more likely to be willing to change their birth control methods (aOR?=?1.98, 95%CI 1.07–3.67). This study found that, among Florida college students, Zika beliefs and knowledge were associated with a willingness to change birth control method in response to Zika. Understanding the factors that motivate individuals to change reproductive behaviors during an emerging health issue can help tailor preventative messages.     

Family connectedness and sexual risk-taking among urban youth attending alternative high schools

CONTEXT : Youth in alternative high schools engage in risky sexual behavior at higher rates than do their peers in regular schools, placing themselves at an increased risk of sexually transmitted disease and unintended pregnancy. Family connectedness is associated with reduced adolescent sexual risk-taking, although this association has not been tested among alternative school youth.
METHODS : A sample of 976 urban, predominantly minority alternative high school students in Houston, Texas, were surveyed in 2000-2002. Survey data were analyzed using logistic regression to determine whether family connectedness is related to sexual risk-taking .
RESULTS : Overall, 68% of students reported ever having had sex. Of sexually experienced students, 74% reported having had sex in the past three months and 29% reported ever having been involved in a pregnancy. The higher students scored on a scale of perceived family connectedness, the less likely they were to report ever having had sex, recently having had unprotected sex and having been involved in a pregnancy (odds ratio, 0.97 per unit increase for each outcome). Among females, higher perceived family connectedness was associated with reduced odds of ever having had sex or having initiated sex prior to age 13 (0.96 for each); males who perceived higher family connectedness had reduced odds of having been involved in a pregnancy (0.93) .
CONCLUSIONS : Family connectedness may be a protective factor related to sexual risk-taking, even among high-risk youth. Including activities that acknowledge the influence of family relationships and facilitate positive parent-child relationships may increase the efficacy of programs for reducing sexual risk-taking among alternative school youth.     

Correlates of sexual experience among a nationally representative sample of alternative high school students

Little is known about risk and protective factors associated with sexual experience among alternative school students that might prove useful in targeting and guiding early interventions to prevent onset of sexual risk behavior. Researchers analyzed data from the national Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Principal components analysis identified six risk and protective factors: weapon carrying; tobacco use; cocaine, inhalant, and needle use; alcohol and marijuana use; participation in sports; and fighting. Composite variables with significant bivariate relationships to sexual experience, as well as demographic variables, were entered into a logistic regression analysis to determine independent effects of these correlates on students' sexual experience (N = 6.037). Nearly 90% of students reported having sexual intercourse. In multivariate analysis, significant demographic correlates of sexual experience included female gender (58% more likely than males to report ever having sex), African American race (2.83 times more likely than non-Hispanic Whites), and age (28% more likely with each advancing year). Attending school in a rural or suburban region corresponded to a 31% decrease and 46% decrease, respectively, in the odds of ever having sex. Weapon carrying, and cocaine, inhalant, and needle use, were associated with a 35% and 46% increase, respectively, in the odds of ever having sex. Students reporting they had ever used alcohol or marijuana, and those reporting recent fighting behavior, were 2.7 and 1.6 times more likely, respectively, to report sexual experience. Most alternative school students have had sexual intercourse, with those students engaging in substance use, weapon carrying, and fighting behaviors being at greater risk for sexual experience. Prevention programs for high-risk youth attending alternative high schools need to consider how to promote continued abstinence among the small but important minority of alternative school students not yet sexually experienced.     

Perception of university students in Ghana about emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (EC) refers to methods that women can use to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, method failure, or incorrect use. There is growing worldwide acceptance and promotion of EC as a measure to reduce the level of unwanted pregnancies and, hence, unsafe abortions. The potential effect of EC in this regard could be most evident in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, the Ministry of Health has since 1996 included EC in its reproductive health service policy and standards. The Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana is the only agency involved in the promotion of EC in the country. Very little is known about societal perception of EC. We undertook a study to assess knowledge and attitude toward EC among a sample of students at the University of Ghana. We used a two-page, self-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional study among students chosen by random sampling. The aspects of EC assessed included level of knowledge, extent of use, common traditional methods of emergency contraception, as well as socially and culturally acceptable ways to promote EC in Ghana. We also assessed how the availability of EC could influence the use of condoms among male respondents. Less than half (43.2%) of the 194 respondents (88 males and 106 females) had heard of modern emergency contraceptive methods. Postinor-2, a dedicated emergency contraceptive product, which was already on the Ghanaian market, was known to 1.5% of respondents. Only 11.3% of respondents indicated correctly the recommended time within which emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are to be taken after unprotected sex. Taking concentrated sugar solutions, having an enema, and douching were commonly used traditional methods of EC. More than half (55.0%) of the male respondents indicated that they would either "certainly" or "probably" reduce how often they used condoms once they knew that EC was available. Almost all (97.4%) the respondents wanted to learn more about EC. The indications from this study are that the promotion of EC in Ghana is desired and must be encouraged. The fact that EC does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections should always be emphasized.     

HIV/AIDS risk perception and behavior of college students of the Metekel Zone,Benishangul Gumuz regional state,Ethiopia

Sexual and reproductive health problems are the main causes of death, disability and disease among young people in the world, particularly in Africa. The objective of this study was to assess human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) risk perception and behavior, and factors associated with risk perception, among college students of the Metekel Zone, Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used. The data were collected using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire, were entered into EPI INFO version 6 and exported into Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 for analysis. Variables with p < 0.02 in the bivariate logistic regression were entered to multivariate logistic regression and variables with p < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Three hundred and eighty-eight students were participated. Total 43% of respondents (50.70% males and 34.10% females) had had sex. About 48.81% of the sexually active respondents reported that they had had sexual intercourse with two or more partners. About 16.49% of study participants perceived themselves at risk of getting HIV/AIDS and the most frequently, cited reasons for perceiving oneself at risk were having sex without a condom, having multiple sexual partners and having sex with commercial sex workers (CSW). Chewing khat (adjusted OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 1.45?8.63); being willing to undergo voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) (adjusted OR = 4. 30, 95% CI: 1.09?16.88); having seen a person infected/dead of HIV (adjusted OR = 4.23, 95% CI: 1.36?13.13) and having multiple sexual partners (adjusted OR = 6.10, 95% CI: 2.40?15.44) were significantly associated with HIV risk perception. The risk perception of HIV/AIDS among the college students was low despite their involvement in different risky sexual behaviors. The government should use mass media techniques, such as television, radio, mobile services and posters to spread information on HIV transmission prevention among college students, especially information on the importance of condom use, minimizing the number of sexual partners and VCT. College administrations need to disseminate information through special lectures, and group discussions about khat chewing, HIV/AIDS and VCT.