Despite the extensive interventions, there hasnâ€™t been a corresponding decline in the raternof Sero-prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Why could this be the case? In contrary to thernincreased knowledge, there appears to be little change in behavior. What is then thernchallenge in connecting knowledge to actual behavior change? These challenges havenâ€™trnbeen identified and measured in local contexts.rnThe objective of this study was to develop a scale for measuring perceived barriers tornbehavioral change towards HIV/AIDS prevention. More specifically, to identify &rndescribe perceived barriers to behavioral change; to construct a scale for measuringrnperceived barriers to behavioral change; to evaluate the reliability and validity of thernscale, and to determine the relative importance of the barriers.rnA cross-sectional study with qualitative & quantitative phases was conducted at DebubrnUniversity on regular students. The qualitative part, comprising of in-depth interview andrnfree listing, is designed to identify the major perceived barriers to behavioral change. Arnpreliminary likert-type scale of items, after pilot test and expert review, was administeredrnto 480 students, selected using stratified random sampling technique, for rating.rnItem analysis criteria selected 28 of the 55 items for factor analysis. Principal componentrnanalysis yielded 5 components explaining 63% of the variance after deletion of two otherrnitems. The total scale has 0.845 reliability and 0.642 validity. The components werernfound to measure a single construct. This resulted in a 26-item PBBC instrument. Thernenjoyment component was found to have higher weight in regression and the riskrncomponents have higher relative importance in summated scores.rnviirnIn conclusion, the instrument developed has acceptable reliability and validity. Furtherrnrefining, revising and optimizing of the instrument were recommended