Fortunately most young people are not infected with HIV/AIDS. Infact during earlyrnadolescents HIV rate are the lowest of any period during the life cycle. The challenge isrnto keep them this way .Yet, it is also young people who often beers the greatest hope ofrnchanging the course of HIV/AIDS epidemic if they are given the tools and support to dornso.rnIn Ethiopia information on the knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS and relatedrnissue among this early adolescents is scanty. This study aimed to asses the knowledgernof HIV/AIDS and factors that influence students knowledge and attitude.rnA cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaire was carried out amongrnrandomly selected students in five general primary schools in Kombolcha town SouthrnWello Zone of Amhara Regional State during November 2004 to January 2005. A totalrnof 600 students (309 male and 291 female) 10 to 14 years old attending grade 5 to 8rnwere enrolled in the study. Four hundred and thirty seven (73 %), and 404 (67 %) of thernrespondents were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS mode of transmission and preventionrnmethods respectively and 98(16.3%) of them had also comprehensive knowledge onrnHIV/AIDS. About 430(72 %) of them had positive attitude towards AIDS patient, AIDSrnorphan and PLWHA. Four hundred and ten (68.3%) and 450(75.8%) replied that theyrndiscussed about HIV/AIDS with their parents and peers, respectively. Only 41 (6.1%) ofrnthe students perceived their susceptibility to HIV/AIDS.rnStudents in higher grade level, Christians, those who discussed with their peers, andrnwho got information from mass media source [OR=2.69(1.59,4.55),rn[OR=2.12(1.23,3.63)], [OR=1.88(1.11,3.19)] and [OR=1.75(1.10,2.79)] respectively hadrnsignificant association with mode of transmission knowledge. Similarly respondents inrnhigher grade level, Christians, and who got information from mass media sourcern[OR=1.60(1.02,2.52)], [OR=2.02(1.01,3.39)] and [OR=1.76(1.12,2.75)] respectively hadrnsignificant association with prevention method knowledge. Being old agern[OR=2.01(1.22,3.29), urban residence [OR=1.92(1.10,3.35), Christians affiliationrnVIIIrn[OR=3.39(2.07,5.54)], those from medium [OR=5.42(2.49,11.80)] and lowrn[OR=3.37(1.66,6.84)] perceived family economic status respectively and mass mediarnsource of information [OR=1.57=(1.01,2.44)] had significant association with Studentsrnpositive attitude. It was also concluded that students knowledge on the mode ofrntransmission and prevention method were moderate and majority of participants did notrnshow discriminatory and stigmatized attitude. Strengthening the current HIV/AIDSrneducation going on in the school, sustaining the non-discriminatory attitude throughrnstrengthening the on going message are recommended.rnKey words: Early adolescents, HIV/AIDS, transmission, prevention, attitude, perceivedrnsusceptibility, Kombolcha, South Wello, Amhara and Ethiopia.