HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in Ethiopia. It is estimated that there are 2.6 million peoplerninfected by the virus. The sexual network pattern like multiple partners, rapid partner change,rnfrequent sexual intercourse and un protected sex were said to be the major source which facilitaternHIV/AID transmission. The wider the contacts and numbers of partners, the more quickly thernvirus will spread. However, the rate of increase is different in urban and rural parts of therncountry. Although, Sexual networking and level of condom use with different partners werernamong the major causes in HIV/AIDS transmission, the majority of the studies on HIV/AIDSrnand condom use have very much limited themselves in big urban centers. There is a lack ofrncommunity-based studies focused on rural community. Thus, this study aimed at investigatingrnthe sexual network and condom utilization in rural community around Jimma town.rnObjective: To assess the sexual network and condom utilization of rural community aroundrnJimma town.rnMethod: A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methodsrnwere conducted between November and December 2003, in ten rural kebeles around Jimmarntown. Quantitative data were collected from 846 (423 male & 423 female) using pre-testedrnquestionnaire. Four focus group discussion (2 male &2 female) and 16 In-depth interviews werernalso conducted to enrich the quantitative data.rnResult: Sexual network was observed among male group in merchants, drivers and ex-solders.rnCommercial sex workers, tella sellers and student girls were involved among females. Morernmale (33.1%) engaged in extra- marital relation ship than female (2.8%)..Condom use withrncommercial partner (76%) was higher than with non-regular and regular partner. Literate peoplernwere found to be more user of condom (16.5%) than illiterate (1.2%). Educational status, sex,rn2rnoccupational status and marital status were found significantly associated with condom use andrnextra-marital relationship. Being nearer to town with continuous transport was found not to havernsignificant association with condom use and extra marital relationship. Although, knowledge ofrncondom HIV/AIDS and STDS were found higher in both study population, there is a great gaprnobserved between knowledge of condom and use(92.7%, 17.7%) respectively.rnConclusion: Sexual network was observed in this study. Men were highly involved in sexualrnnetworking than females. Despite higher knowledge of condom its utilization was low. Thernmajor reasons mentioned were not trust condom, unavailability, makes man impotent, decreasernsexual pleasure, and lack of practical knowledge in applying condom. We conclude that thernhigher knowledge of condom, which was observed by the study subjects didnâ€™t help them tornavoid the above misconception. Thus the observed low utilization could be the result ofrnmisconception. There fore, this study recommends filling the identified gap in the awareness andrnutilization of condom.rnKey word: sexual network, condom utilization