Background: Despite the deleterious effects posing on the life of young women, thernsensitiveness and stigma associated with Gender Based Violence (GBV) and lack of data havernhampered full understanding and the development of appropriate interventions.rnMethods: Cross-sectional institution based survey, using self-administered anonymousrnquestionnaire and focus group discussion, was conducted among college female studentsrnfound in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia in March 2007 to determine the prevalence andrnassociated factors of gender based violence. A total of 1024 female students were involved inrnthe study. Prevalence was calculated using frequencies and logistic regression was used tornestimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using SPSS statistical packages.rnResult: Among the respondents, the overall prevalence of GBV in lifetime and in the currentrnyear was found to be 62.1% (95%CI: 59.1, 65.1) and 40.2% (95%CI: 37.2, 43.2) respectively.rnPrevalence of sexual violence in lifetime, since joining college and in the current academicrnyear was 45.4% (95%CI: 42.4, 48.4), 34.4% (95%CI: 31.5, 37.3) and 28.1% (95%CI: 25.3,rn30.9) respectively where as the prevalence of physical violence in this order being 46.3%rn(95%CI: 43.2, 49.4), 32.3% (95%CI: 29.4, 35.2) and 26.4% (95%CI: 23.7, 29.1). Currentrnyear GBV was associated with female students who witnessed parental violence as a child,rnhaving boyfriend currently, who were sexually active at the time of the survey, with history ofrnalcohol consumption and having drunken peers (males or/and females), whose childhoodrnresidence was in rural area and having poor school performance. In the focus grouprndiscussions both in female and male groups, it was underscored that officialsâ€™ tolerance,rntraditions rewarding manliness and femalesâ€™ loss of confidence as how to negotiate aboutrnsexual relations were exposing girls to gender based violence even in higher learningrninstitution.rnConclusion: Based on the findings of the survey, it is concluded that gender based violence isrncommon and serious problem among college female students in the study area. Therefore, it isrnrecommended that GBV needs due attention and remedial action from policy makers, collegernofficials, non-governmental organizations, parents, students and other concerned bodies.rnviiirnPrograms aimed at preventing gender-based violence must address these identified factors orrncorrelates of violence against female students