II/V I A II)S is one of the seriolls health and social problems the world is facing 10 day. The epidemic isrnunique in its deuQS1Qting impact on the social, economic and demographic development. III Ethiopia.rnthe highest rltllnber of AJ[)S cases was reported in the age group 2 0-39 in I he year 2003. ThIS fOCIrnrevealed that most of the infections OCCUlTed much earlier during the period ofyuJth.rnIJas l researches have focused on knowledge about condonl d is tn'bution, pattern oJ condom utilization,rn. sexual violence, knowledge, altitude and practice of HIVI AIDS and knowledge and sexual behavior 011rnIIIVI AIIJSI STDs. Little is known, however, about correlates of youth sexual activity , ris /cy sexualrnbehavior and factors that motivates youths to engage in sex. This study, therefore, addresses thernsexual risk taking behavior among youths aged 15-24 who are of particular interest given the fact thatrnHIV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact.'rnThe study was aimed at exploring the sexual behavior of youths in the city of A. Jassa. A sUl'IJey wasrnconducted involving 383 unmarried youths aged 15-24 in the year 200S using a stll1cturedrnquestionnaire. Multinomial regression was used to examine whether different p rediclor variables werernassociated with sexual risk fa ctors for HIV infection. Descriptive analyses of respondents'rncharacteristics were made to obtain a general description of sexual ris k behavior.rnAccording to Ihe analyses majon'ty of the youths had never had sex and those who have ever had sexrnwere se:n.lOlly aclive occasionally. Despite the fact that most of the youths were aware of IIIVI AJ[)S.rnconsiderable prop011ion oj the respondents had misconception regarding hal/} the virus con he ( .rntransmitted. The regression analysis re vealed that household s ocia economic stat"Â·s wasJound to havernan influence on sexual risk taking behavior oj youths. FurthelIDore, living an'Ollgements of youthsrnexplains the van'alion in risk taking behavior i.e. living with both parents in the past and currenllyrnwere protective fa clors frOTH sexual risk. J10reover, current religiosity was also a protective faclor fromrnsexual risk taking behavior. Nevertheless, involvements in other behavioral risks and engagement inrneconomic activities during the nlOnth prim' to the survey were found to be s igm/icanl in increasing thernlikelihood oj risky sexual behavior.rn13ased on t he findings of lhe study a better and widespread public educalion on fIlV I AIDS, expansionrnoj sexual health services for unmarried yO/lII1" and implementation of programs that are inlended tornenhance household slandard of living w ere commented. A policy issue lhal m;ghl em.erge from thisrnsludy is lo open opportunities in the area where parents, healthcare providers, the school and religiousrnleaders can guide .I'U1(II!. on making responsible decisions esp ecially on se.>..:ual iss ues.